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Ronan to make world cycling debut
24.09.08
Muff man to race for
Ireland in Italy on Friday
by Damian Dowds, Inishowen
Independent
MUFF cyclist Ronan McLaughlin will make his World
Championship debut when he represents Ireland in
Varese, Italy on Friday. McLaughlin leaves his
Belgian base for the foothills of the Alps on
Wednesday morning, will train and Thursday and his
race starts at 12.15pm local time (11.15am Irish
time) on Friday.
The 20 year-old competes in the under-23 men’s road
race, covering a 173km (108 miles) route with two
compatriots, Daniel Martin and Conor McConvey.
Ireland’s three-man team will be competing against
48 other teams, some of whom will be up to five men
strong.
Ireland had qualified five riders for the event, but
Cycling Ireland selected only three.
“Daniel is the team leader, and it will be up to me
or Conor to get into any early breakaway,” Ronan
told the Inishowen Independent on Sunday. “Any
breakaway will probably be pulled back, and after
that we’ll work to give him as good a chance as
possible to win. But if something happens Daniel,
like a puncture, I’ll then be the leader.” |
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Ronan has raced for
Ireland several times in the past, most recently in
the European Championships, also held in Italy, in
July. The Muff man’s preparations had been hampered
by illness and he was disappointed with his
performance. “I hadn’t got good form coming into it
and wasn’t able to compete as I know I can,” he
said. “But this time I feel really confident and I’m
looking forward to it.”
The 173km race will encompass ten 17km laps around
the city of Varese. “Because the laps are relatively
short, it will be a very technical and |
and tactical race. I’ll
just have to stay alert and cover any moves.”
Varese marks the end of McLaughlin’s debut
professional season, one that he’s entitled to look
back on with satisfaction.
McLaughlin missed out on selection with his
professional team for the Tour of Ireland earlier
this summer and missed out on some racing. “But I’ve
had two good, top level races in the last week and
those have really sharpened me up for Varese,” he
said.
He has already signed up for the An Post-Sean Kelly
Cycling team for 2009. “I’m young, but I’ve
acquitted myself well against stronger riders and
the management feel that I can step up,” he said. “I
know myself I’m capable of it, but it’s a steep
learning curve. It’s not just about being a strong
man, it’s knowing when to use that strength. It’s
very tactical and I know I’ve lots of lessons to
learn.”
You can watch the race unfold live on TV. The men’s
under-23 road race is live on Eurosport, with
coverage starting at 11am. |
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