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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
20 THINGS YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK ……… DAVID O'LOUGHLIN
20 QUESTIONS:
1. Age, and date of birth?:
I am 24 years old, my date of birth is the 29th of March 1978.
2. What club/team do you race with?
Ofoto - Lombardi Sports, a US pro team.
3. How did you get started in cycling? What do you like about the sport?
My first involvement in cycling was the London to Brighton charity bike ride in the UK. It used to be a huge event with about 15,000 people taking part! I'm not even sure it's still running now. A couple of guys from the company that my dad worked for were doing it, so myself and my dad did it along with them no training or fancy bikes or anything like that!
What do I like about the sport? I just enjoy riding my bike…well, most of the time!!!
4. What was your first win? What was your best, and why?
My first win was most likely the U/16 prize in some Mayo League event many years ago! As for the best I'm not sure, I think I’ve still to achieve it.
5. How often do you train?
Most days, depending on the time of year and what my workload is at college. Padraig Marrey is my coach so I follow his advice.
6. What is your favourite training spin?
I spent last winter in Australia and did some fantastic spins along the southwest of Western Australia. The weather was great, the roads were quiet and the views along the coast line were amazing!
7. What is your best result / performance to date?
Again I'm never fully satisfied with my results but I think top 10 in the U/23 time trial in Plouay (2000 world championships) was my best.
8. What is your ambition in life? How do you plan to work towards that goal?
My ambition in life is to be successful and to enjoy life! At the moment I'm doing a degree in Sports and Exercise Science and racing with a small US based Pro team.
9. Who is your favourite professional cyclist, and why?
Ex-pro Sean Kelly. I think I’ve said enough!
10. Who is the biggest influence in your life?
Myself!
11. How do you relax?
I walk around shops after my girlfriend Mary, or cook her meals!
12. What is your favourite film/tv show/book/cd?
At the moment I am reading ' The Piranha Club' by Timothy Collings which is a pleasant change from Physics, Maths etc.! As for films, I'm a James Bond fan and I play U2 a lot.
13. Apart from Ireland, where have you raced?
All over the place, The US, Japan, Sweden, Poland, Slovenia, Portugal, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Luxembourg, England. I'm sure there are more but I can't remember off hand.
14. Who do you think will be the next Irish rider to win a Tour De France stage?
Mark Scanlon. I'm sure it will not be to long before we see Kirsipuu leading Mark out! It's also great to see that Dermot Nally and Steven Gallagher, who both rode on the Junior team in Valkenburg, will be riding as professionals this year too.
15. What is your favourite race?
The USPRO Champs. in Philly, I rode it last year for the first time. It's a great race with a great atmosphere.
16. Who is the best rider you have competed against? What impresses you about him?
Even though I’ve raced against some of the greats I have to say it's Mark Scanlon. The talent that boy has is amazing.
17. Have you tried mountainbiking? How did you get on?
I do a bit every now and again, but nothing too serious.
18. What qualities makes you a good cyclist ?
' It isn't how much talent you have that makes you successful but your ability to use all the talent you have to reach your full potential' That’s a quote by Carl Lewis, winner of 10 Olympic gold medals, and it sums it all up.
19. When the time comes, would you encourage your kids take up the sport, and if so, why?
I would encourage them to be active and if they showed an interest in cycling, then of course!
20. Describe yourself in one sentence?
Of course you had to ask that! I would have to say I'm single minded, generous, honest guy who likes to ride his bike, drink his pint and enjoy a stress-free life.
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