Michael O'Loughlin went into the Gorey Three Day the leader of the Irish team and emerged from it with that status very much fortified (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Jessica Lamb
Having won the final yellow jersey on the Gorey Three Day while riding for the Irish junior team, Michael O’Loughlin said anyone selected for the national squad needs to stay focussed given the number of riders who can take their places.
Once O'Loughlin took the yellow jersey with a powerful time-trial on Sunday morning, the team was deployed to successfully control the remaining two road stages, each ending with a bunch sprint won by French rider Pierre Henri Jung.
Being in yellow was a new experience for O'Loughlin and he was delighted to be strong enough to pull his weight as his team mates – Simon Tuomey, Cathal Clarke, Adam Stenson, Jake Gray and Declan Mulholland - protected his lead.
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But he stressed that there is a plethora of talent progressing through the junior ranks and that nobody's place is secure.
Cathal Clarke of the Irish team leads the bunch back towards Blessington today, with O'Loughlin sitting in yellow near the head of affairs (Photo: Sean Rowe)
"The Munster team were very strong this weekend,” he said.
“Darragh O’Mahony, who won on Saturday and finished second overall didn’t get the chance to ride on the Irish team this year yet and it looks like he’s really strong.
"There’s a few other guys coming through and a few guys who were missing this weekend.
“There are always people looking to take your spot and it’s healthy competition and keeps us all on our toes as well.
O'Loughlin had some very good riders on his side this weekend including, left to right, Cathal Clarke, Jake Gray and Adam Stenson (Photo: Sean Rowe)
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"When it comes to the summer we’ll have more time because we’ll be off school so we’ll be a bit fitter and a bit stronger going to the Nations Cups. That’s what we need to do.
“Apart from that if we can keep working on a bigger scale, bigger races; it’d be great for the future."
O'Mahony, winner of this weekend's polka dot jersey, will soon team up with O'Loughlin when they guest for Cork Giant at the Tour Of Mendips.
And O'Loughlin is already looking forward to another shot at yellow after having the ride of his life in Gorey.
Once O'Loughlin did not concede time on the first day, with the TT to follow on Sunday morning it was difficult to see even before the weekend started who was going to beat him (Photo: Sean Rowe)
"It was a great, great feeling to have the yellow jersey and have all my teammates all around lined out in front of me in the Irish kit," he said.
"It was like the stuff you’d see on TV with the professionals and I really enjoyed it. We’ve done it before with U16 teams with these guys, and we’ve done pretty well.
“But this is next level and the boys did some really good work. To be able to give them a hand was great too.
"You’re never too sure," he said of leading the race, adding the staff and riders in the Irish camp were a calming influence. "You’re always on edge the whole time, but the lads kept me calm.”
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