Michael O'Loughlin finished 11th and said while it was good to get close to the WorldTour riders, the aim is always to beat team.
Irish cyclist Michael O'Loughlin reflects on Euros TT
Michael O’Loughlin believes his ride at the European Championships is a solid starting point as he prepares for the World Championships later in the year.
The Carrick-on-Suir man was less than one second outside the top 10 in the U23 TT in Herning, Denmark, today.
And while 11th in Europe, on a flat course not best suited to him, was a very good ride, he had hoped for more.
O’Loughlin, who still has two years left at U23 level, was 1:46 off the time of winner Kasper Asgreen (Denmark) over the 31.5km course.
The other Irish cyclist in the U23 test, Eddie Dunbar (below), came home in 19th place in a time of 39:55.
Advertisement
Related News
“I’m a bit disappointed to be just outside the top ten,” said Michael O’Loughlin.
“You always look back and wish that you went around corners a bit quicker. But you can’t go back.
“At the end of the day it was a pretty solid ride. It was wet and windy, so that played a factor, but it was the same for everyone.
“The course was pan flat so you were constantly pushing on the pedals.”
O’Loughlin, one of 16 unfunded riders in the 17-rider Irish team in Denmark, will now switch his focus to the remainder of the season.
He is currently in his second year with Team Wiggins. And he is expected to gain selection onto the national team for the World Championships in Norway in September.
“It’s a good starting point looking ahead at the Worlds, where the course is different,” he said of today’s race.
“Maybe the hills will suit me a bit better. I’ve another two years to come back and fight for medals.
“It’s nice to be so close to some guys who are racing with World Tour teams. But you always want to beat them.”
Topics
