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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
O’LOUGHLIN RIDES WELL BUT LITTLE JOY FOR IRISH IN BELGIUM
By Shane Stokes
19 Apr 2004,
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Hibernian Team Ireland rider David O’Loughlin rode strongly throughout yesterday’s 1.5 ranked Zellik – Galmaarden event in Belgium before being forced to stop due to hypothermia. The Mayo rider was in the thick of the action throughout the race, taking the King of the Hills prime on the Bosbert and third on the Muur de Grammont. O’Loughlin then slipped into the final break of twelve riders but was forced to pull over when the artic conditions finally proved too much.
David McCann had been due to ride the race but pulled out due to illness. He was replaced by Paul Healion, who along with Rory Wyley were the sole Irish riders to be given a placing in the tough race. Wyley was 71st and Healion 72nd, although all riders from 50th place downwards were pulled out before the final 15 kilometre finishing circuit. John O’Shea, Paul Griffin and Brian Kenneally pulled out earlier in the race.
Top honours went to Cerdi Team rider Jurgen Vermeersch, who finished 1 minute and 17 seconds clear of Koen Das (R.Antwerp BC) and 2 minutes 1 second ahead of Kor Steenbergen (Palmans Collstrop).
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Zellik – Galmaarden, Belgium (1.5):
1, Jurgen Vermeersch (Cerdi Team) 4 hours 21 mins
2, Koen Das (R.Antwerp BC) at 1 min 17 secs
3, Kor Steenbergen (Palmans Collstrop) at 2 min 1 sec
4, Glen Zelderloo (Jartazi – Granville) same time
5, Ward Bogaert (R.Antwerp BC) at 2 mins 42 secs
6, Steven Vanden Bussche (Soenens Germond) at 3 mins 9 secs
Hibernian Team Ireland riders:
71, Rory Wyley
72, Paul Healion, both outside time limit
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