Mechanical disaster robs O'Loughlin of World Champs chance

The dream of winning a medal at the UCI World Championships in Richmond, Virginia, turned to a nightmare for Michael O'Loughlin today when he suffered a mechanical failure in the junior men's time-trial and was unable to use most of his gears. He would finish well down the field in 38th almost four minutes behind winner Leo Appelt of Germany (Picture: Sean Rowe)

By Brian Canty

Michael O’Loughlin suffered a cruel mechanical failure in the junior men’s time-trial on day three of the UCI World Championships in Richmond, Virginia, today.

The Carrick on Suir teenager, entering the 30-kilometre event as one of the favourites, was unable to use most of the gears on his bike after the bolt holding the front mech cable in place loosened and fell off.

It meant the reigning national time-trial champion had to complete one of the biggest races of his life in the small ring.

It’s absolutely gutting for the talented second-year junior who had targeted this race as one he could potentially medal in, especially as he was eighth last year.

Granted, the times of those in the top five were mesmerising and that of winner Leo Appelt deserves special mention.

The German powerhouse scorched around the course in a time of 37:45, 17 seconds faster than American Adrien Costa while the latter’s countryman Brandon McNulty rounded out the podium for third, 42 seconds further back.

O’Loughlin ended up finishing 38th some 3:59 behind Appelt, though it must be said it’d have taken something extra special to beat him.

So quick was his time that had he been in the U23 race 24 hours earlier he’d have been fourth.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow for the reigning national champion but he does have the consolation of being the Irish team’s protected rider going into Saturday’s junior men’s road race.

The only other Irishman in action in the event today was Corkman Simon Tuomey and he finished 43rd, some 4:28 behind Appelt.