Team Wiggins man Michael O'Loughlin with his eyes fixed on Irish U23 champs gold, sandwiched between Sam Bennett and Ryan Mullen (Photo: David McVeigh - The Belgium Project)

Michael O'Loughlin U23 Irish champion

Michael O’Loughlin has said he did not give himself enough time to recovery properly after the An Post Rás in last month and has paid the price since.

The Carrick-on-Suir man said he rushed into focussing too hard on the Baby Giro stage race after the Irish showpiece.

He had been “strict” on himself and when he got to Italy his body gave up. He had gone to see a doctor as recently as last week.

Only for being given the all clear after his examination to the ride the nationals TT three days later he may not have ridden.

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Yet he became Irish U23 champion in the TT. And yesterday followed that up with 6^th in the elite road race.

That was enough for him to do what Ryan Mullen did in the elite category; the road and TT Irish U23 champion double.

Speaking after yesterday’s 179km the Team Wiggins man said the race was more tactical than last year. A course that was less selective meant less definitive attacking.

And he also believe had the really strong climbers on the day, specifically Nicolas Roche (BMC Racing) had more uphill terrain they may have done more damage.

However, the Team Wiggins 20-year-old was fulsome in his praise for Mullen, saying he had done an amazing ride.

Michael O’Loughlin spoke to Shane Stokes at the end of the road race. You can listen to the 3½ minute piece below.