A time trial stage win against some of the best juniors in the world, all riding for national teams, and 2nd overall at a Nations Cup; no wonder Michael O'Loughlin is smiling on the podium at the conclusion of hostilities in France this afternoon, Sunday.
By Brian Canty
Michael O’Loughlin has finished second overall at the Trophee Morbihan 2.Nations Cup race in France despite a brave bid to take the win.
The NRPT-Magnet.ie man came into the final stage six seconds down off the Danish yellow jersey after the Carrick teenager won this morning's stage 2 time trial.
He knew what he needed to do on this afternoon's concluding stage 3; beat leader Anthon Charmig of Denmark by that margin and stay ahead of those behind him.
But on a general classification where almost 50 riders were separated by a minute that was never going to be an easy task.
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The Danes took a very impressive 1-2 on stage 1 yesterday. And but for the time they gained, O'Loughlin would have run out the overall winner. His time trial win will have caught the eye of many of the major teams though.
A determined O’Loughlin escaped in the break and at one stage he was the leader on the road.
However, a furious chase from behind reeled him back in and he had to settle for second as the race came to a bunch sprint.
Incidentally, the stage winner was his NRPT-Magnet.ie Frenchman Clement Betouigt, making it a brilliant day and weekend for the team, which was officially launched last week for 2015.
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O'Loughlin went on the attack on this afternoon's road stage in a bid to win the race overall; determined to give his all to try and take the final yellow jersey (Photo: Olivia Nieto)
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Carrick rider O’Loughlin today, mind, as he punctured out of the peloton early on.
But having teammate Adam Stenson close by allowed him get back into the race, his loyal lieutenant offering up his own wheel.
Stenson would lose time on the stage and end up 69th overall at 14:18 while the other Irishman, Jake Gray, was 59th at six minutes.
Charmig held the jersey while his Danish teammate Mikkel Honore was third overall.
The course was a very tough one and the competition very strong, giving the Irish riders invaluable experience under the wing of experienced team manager Philip Finnegan.
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