O’Loughlin backs Power for Beijing

THIS is Olympic year so we can expect big things from Ciarán Power — the most experienced Irish professional in the peloton — according to Martin O’Loughlin, who is former manager of the Olympic cycling team.

This afternoon in Killorglin (4.15 O’Loughlin, a prolific winner of stages in this particular event, will line up alongside the Waterford man for the opening stage of the Pauline Sugrue Auctioneers Rás Mumhan.

Every year he competed O’Loughlin, the Peter Pan of Irish cycling, has won at least one stage in the gruelling early season event.