Simon Tuomey was best of the Irish in the junior men's time-trial at the European Championships today but his time of 23:59 was only good enough for 28th place (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
Simon Tuomey and Michael O’Loughlin have had a tough day at the office in the junior men’s time-trial at the European Championships in Estonia.
Tuomey finished 28th of 73 finishers in a time of 23:59 with O’Loughlin clocking 24:11 for 35th place.
The winning time of 23:02 was set by Nikolai Ilichev of Russia, with last year’s bronze medallist Tobias Foss of Norway taking silver in 23:04 from Max Singer of Germany in 23:10.
It was Tuomey’s first exposure to competition at this level and he should be very pleased with his time, which was less than a minute behind the winner.
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O’Loughlin will perhaps be a little disappointed, given he was 8th in the World Championships junior TT last year.
O'Loughlin will now reset his mind to the junior men's road race at the European Championships.
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But his focus on the shorter timed races at the European Track Championships last month probably counted against him.
It was clear from an early stage that neither would be in contention though with 34 riders through, Tuomey was 10th at the halfway checkpoint.
He would get as high as ninth but with so many more due in after him, he would naturally slide down the standings.
Both riders will be back in action again on Sunday for the road race, along with Darragh O’Mahony in a three-man Irish team.
Next up for the Irish is Ciara Doogan in the junior women’s road race tomorrow morning which starts at 7.30am Irish time and can be viewed here.
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