The Mayo News

CYCLING Mayo’s David O’Loughlin went on the attack in Monday’s stage of the FBD Rás, and although he dropped off the pace, he still finished the day as the leading Irish rider.
Riders in the FBD Insurance Rás are pictured on the approach to New Ross, Co Wexford yesterday (Monday).

O’Loughlin leads Irish challenge

Martin Ayres

MAYO’S David O’Loughlin went on the attack in Monday’s stage of the FBD Insurance Rás, and although he dropped off the pace in the closing miles, he still finished the day as the leading Irish rider in the race.
Riding for the An Post-Sean Kelly team, O’Loughlin joined an early attack that went clear early in the 178-kilometre stage from Wexford to Cobh.
The group stayed ahead for the rest of the day, although it splintered before the end.
O’Loughlin slipped back from the leading group as the race approached Cobh, but gamely held out to finish 11th and well clear of the chasing pack.
It was a day of hills, rain and headwinds, a tough test for O’Loughlin, who is making a late start to his road season after concentrating on the track until recently.
The stage victory went to Britain’s Ian Wilkinson who also took the yellow jersey of race leader. O’Loughlin moved to 11th overall at 7 mins 12 secs, the only Irishman in the leading 20.
Meanwhile, all five Castlebar-Western Edge team riders finished in the main field, as did David Cawley. “It was a very good performance on a hard day,” said manager Kevin Dunleavy. “Chris Troy was going particularly well and attacked on the final climb to the finish, gaining a few seconds, confidence is high.”

Eeckhout delivers for An Post team
DAVID O’Loughlin’s An Post team-mate Niko Eeckhout sprinted to victory on the first stage in Wexford on Sunday.
Belgium’s Eeckhout won a mass sprint from a group of over 130 riders at the end of the 125-kilometre leg from Kilcullen.
Most of the large Mayo contingent in this year’s Rás finished safely in the main pack, including O’Loughlin, who was placed 46th. The Castlebar-based Western Edge team had three riders in the pack – Chris Coyle (92nd), Chris Troy (111th) and Patrick Clarke (126th). David Cawley, riding for Galway, finished in 96th spot.
Castlebar’s David Brennan was delayed by a crash on the rain-soaked run-in, and came in 138th at 41 seconds, while his team-mate Paul Dunne was 148th at 3-38.
“It was a good day and overall we’re quite happy,” said Western Edge manager Kevin Dunleavy. “The first hour was quite easy but then there was heavy rain and our guys were getting quite cold.”
Eeckhout (38), in his 16th year as a professional, was a clear winner, showing the class which brought him many victories, including the Belgian pro’ championships. Despite the difficult conditions, all 162 starters completed the stage, which was run off at high speed, with the winner averaging 43.17kph (26.85mph). The Rás continues this week through Cork, Kerry and Clare, and arrives in Castlebar on Friday, with two days to go.

Cawley grabs last minute lifeline
DESPAIR turned to delight for Rás hopeful David Cawley last week.
Cawley, 24, was deeply disappointed to miss out on selection for the Mayo team. “I was told the day before the team launch that I had narrowly missed out,” he told The Mayo News.
Along with the rest of the squad, Cawley had endured six months of early nights, hardly any social life and training six days a week. Now it seemed that his sacrifices were in vain.
In desperation, he phoned Rás organiser Dermot Dignam to see if any teams had vacancies. Dignam told him there were several other riders around the country in the same boat and suggested Cawley contact them.
That was at 3pm last Tuesday, and entries closed at 6pm. After three hours of frantic phoning, aided by Westport official Joe Maguire, a team was put together and the entry forms e-mailed in just before the deadline.
“I jumped at the chance,” said Cawley. “Hopefully all the work I’ve put in will now pay off. If I hadn’t ridden the Rás, I would still have gone to the Castlebar stage finish on Friday, but it would have hurt.”
The team is riding as ‘Galway-Nigel’s Bikes’ and consists of Cawley plus two riders from Galway and two from Cork. They got together for the first time on Saturday evening.

Rás route and Mayo scedule
Stage 6, Scariff to Castlebar, 159km, Friday, May 22: via Gort, Athenry, Corofin, and Caherlistrane; due in Shrule at approximately 1.22pm; Kilmaine (1.31pm); Ballinrobe (1.41pm); Partry (1.53pm); Ballintubber (2pm); Ballyheane (2.07pm); Castlebar, via Moneen roundabout and Springfield to  finish in Main St at approx 2.20pm. All times are approximate and subject to weather conditions.
Stage 7, Castlebar to Clara, 150km, Saturday, May 23. Riders sign on at the TF Royal Hotel and then make a processional start from the town centre . Race proper starts on the N60 and goes through Breaffy (11.03am); Balla (11.12); Claremorris (11.28); Ballyhaunis (11.51); Castlerea (12.16); then Ballymoe, Roscommon and Moate to finish in Clara.

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