McLaughlin shines while Horton wins in Belgium

ON THE weekend Tobyn Horton won another road race in Belgium, youngster James McLaughlin was shining as the sole Guernsey rider in a prestigious stage of the Isle of Man Youth Tour.

Held over three days, the event comprised a 1km prologue time trial, 100km road race and criterium. McLaughlin put in an impressive performance in the prologue to finish in sixth just two seconds back from the winner, Eric Rowsell, and that gave the Sarnian a big confidence boost ahead of the road race.

Calling his coach, Ann Bowditch, after the road race, McLaughlin's first words were 'that was the hardest race I have ever done'. The 17-year-old had given all he had but just could not stay with the leaders over the final six-mile lap.