O'Loughlin finds the going tough

CYCLING: Santiago Botero yesterday gave a display of the time-trial strength which won him a stage of the Tour de France earlier this year when he took gold in the elite time trial at the world championships in Belgium.

Hauling a big gear in his customary ragged style, the Colombian pushed German Michael Rich and Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano of Spain down into the silver and bronze medal slots, with Scot David Millar finishing further back in a disappointed sixth position.

Irish rider David O'Loughlin found the going tough, completing the 40.4 kilometre course four minutes 58.88 seconds slower than Botero to take 55th place.

O'Loughlin had finished 10th in the under-23 event two years ago, but his limited racing at professional level was clearly a limiting factor. So too the effects of the disruption caused by a broken collarbone two months ago.

Today sees Mark Scanlon attempt to improve on his 13th place in Tuesday's time-trial when he lines out with the rest of the Irish squad in the under-23 road race.

Backing Scanlon in his bid for a medal will be Dermot Nally - who was 32nd on Tuesday - Denis Lynch, Philip Deignan and Gary McQuaid, who will police early breakaway moves and ensure the 1998 junior world champion is in a position to play his hand in the closing stages of the four-hour race.

Scanlon's recent trial with the AG2r pro team proves that he has the condition to chase a podium placing, but much will depend on the way the race pans out today.

Over 200 riders are down to start the road race and the difficulty of controlling a bunch of this size is compounded by the fact that the course in Zolder is so flat.

This increases the danger that race favourites such as Scanlon could lose out if their tactics are not spot on.

Following last week's trip for junior and underage riders, the Cycling Ireland track commission are bringing the senior men and women's squads to Manchester Velodrome this weekend for some valuable training.

FIXTURES: Sat/Sun: Tour de Connemara leisure event. For details ring 091 552306.

RESULTS: 2002 Road World Championships, Zolder, Beligum. Elite men's time trial: 1, S Botero (Col) 40.4 kilometres in 48 mins 8.45 secs (50.353 km/h); 2, M Rich (Ger) at 8.23 secs; 3, I Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) at 17.15 secs; 4, L Bodrogi (Hun) at 25.53 secs; 5, U Peschel (Ger) at 33.76 secs; 6, D Millar (Brit) at 35.32 secs. Other: 55, D O'Loughlin (Ire) at 4 mins 58.88 secs.