By Liam Coates
Niall McLoughlin of Westport Covey Wheelers has laid down a firm marker today, winning the first junior event of the National Road Series in Co Carlow and hinting there’s plenty more to come.
Speaking to stickybottle, the former U16 cyclocross national champion said his victory today meant a lot to him, adding he had this race - one of the most prestigious of the year - in his sights for a while.
“It was a win I was really hoping to get and it’s brilliant just being able to show everyone that I’m definitely up there,” he said.
The 17-year-old said it was a great course to race on, with a good mix of climbs and descents, keeping riders on their toes throughout. The final result was a three-rider breakaway, led by McLoughlin, and rounded out by Patrick O’Loughlin of Panduit Carrick Wheelers and Conal Scully of Carlow Road Cycling Club.
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A relatively calm start to the race gave way to some drama in the final stages, as the breakaway trio got clear after the climbs on the course wore down the field.
“It was quite slow for the first few kilometres but then the lads lit it up and we all started racing well," said McLoughlin. "The climbs then tore us apart.
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"Then on one of the final climbs it came down to just the three of us. The three of us attacked, got away and stayed away to the line and I had the kick in me for the finish.”
The versatile McLoughlin, who is strong across track, road and cyclocross, is already proving himself to be an exciting prospect. He has already represented Ireland at junior level, at the European Track Championships in the Netherlands last August.
When asked whether he can keep up this level of performance in the next few races in the National Road Series, McLoughlin responded confidently: “Definitely. As I said before, I’m only getting started. But I did have Covid a couple of weeks ago so I’m trying to get back to fitness now gradually.”
Thankfully, he says his dose of the virus was more like a “quick cold” and he’s bounced back already, with his sights set firmly on the future.
“I’m taking every race as it comes, but my big goals would be Europeans and Worlds. Clearly, I’ve got a lot of racing to get done first. But I’m only getting started so we’ll see how things go. Those are my main two goals, both for road and track.”
However, while road and track are occupying his thoughts for the summer ahead, he also plans to persist with cyclocross later this year having been U16 Irish champion already and taken bronze in the junior title race in Armagh in January.
“(It will be) my first U23 season in cyclocross this year so I’d be hoping to step it up," he said. "I didn’t do much for it last year, just the way the winter happened. But I’d definitely be looking forward to giving it a proper go again next year.”
