Mixed fortunes for Ireland's Healy, O'Loughlin at World Champs

Michael O'Loughlin suffered a crash during his ride in the U23 TT at the World Championships in Yorkshire today (Photo: Sean Rowe)

There were contrasting fortunes for Ireland’s riders in
the U23 TT at the World Championships in Yorkshire today.

Michael O’Loughlin took a heavy fall on roads that were
so flooded in places the elite women’s TT later in the day was delayed.

Ben Healy put in one of the best rides of his career with
15th in the test. It was a fantastic result for the first-year U23 rider, even
though he is a Tour de l’Avenir stage winner this year.

For O’Loughlin, who has ridden with distinction for
Ireland as a junior and U23, it was a disappointing way to end his U23 tenure.

He hit flash flooding and crash to the sodden tarmac,
leaving him shaken, soaking wet and sporting a number of abrasions.

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Dream season: Ben Healy has had an amazing start to his U23 tenure and he is really one to watch for the next few seasons (Photo: Sean Rowe)

Still, the Carrick-on-Suir man got back on his bike and ploughed on to eventually finish in 41st some 3:40 down on winner Mikkel Bjerg (Denmark).

The Dane was taking his third consecutive win in the
event and he saw off Americans Ian Garrison and Brandon McNulty; at 27 and 28
seconds respectively.

Ireland’s Healy was 15th at 1:58 and was just 11 seconds off a top 10 placing.

He will now go on to the U23 road race as Ireland’s sole representative on Friday.

Denmark from the America times two: Bjerg has been head and shoulders ahead of the rest the past three years (Photo: Sean Rowe)
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“At the start line of the TT it was pouring down
with rain; torrential really,” said Ben Healy of what were awful conditions for
racing.

“My visor was
steamed up right on the line and I couldn’t see anything and it stayed that way
for the duration of the TT.

“I set out fairly
on (target) pace but I wasn’t really holding the power that I wanted to do.

“So coming to
that first time split I wasn’t thinking I was going to have a good time.

“But the DS in the car said I was first at the
split so that was a bit of a surprise for me to be honest.

“I tried to hold
on until the end but I went bit hot; I think I did end up going a bit too hard
at the start and ended up blowing up a little bit.

“But overall I’m
happy with my performance and I got everything out on the day. To finish 15th
in a World Championships in really, really good.

“I’m happy with
the outcome of the race and looking forward to the road race on Friday now.”

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