O’LOUGHLIN WINS SHAY ELLIOTT MEMORIAL

DAVID O?Loughlin (Pezula Racing Team) took victory in the Shay Elliott Memorial in Ireland on Sunday after sprinting home ahead of his two breakaway rivals at the end of the 150-kilometre classic race.

With just 10 miles of road behind them, a break of three riders went with O?Loughlin being joined by Pinarello RT?s Peter Williams as well as Paul Griffin (Giant Asia).

The trio worked well together and despite some ferocious chasing behind which eventually fragmented the bunch, they stayed clear and crossed the line 1-42 ahead of the nearest chasers.

While there were one or two other groups further back, the bulk of the 93-strong field were back in the bunch almost seven minutes off the pace.

As the three leaders prepared to tackle the uphill finish in Bray, it was Pinarello RT ace Williams who attacked first, but O?Loughlin looked strong as he swept past his rival, while Griffin settled for third behind Williams.

The King of the Hills competition - sponsored by the Forestry Commission, Coillte - saw two climbs in heavily wooded summits, and with victory at Old Wicklow Gap and more points at the Shay Elliott Memorial point, Williams had the consolation of taking the overall King of the Hills prize.

More on the 2008 Shay Elliott Memorial in this week?s Cycling Weekly.

Shay Elliott Memorial (Bray, Ireland, 150km).-
1 David O?Loughlin (Pezula Racing Team) 3-23-00

2 Peter Williams (Pinarello RT)

3 Paul Griffin (Giant Asia) all same time

4 Stephen O?Sullivan (My Home.ie) at 1-42

5 Cameron Jennings (Pezula Racing Team) same time

6 Keiran Page (Pezula Racing Team) at 2-45