CYCLING:IRISH INDIVIDUAL pursuit record holder David O'Loughlin is working hard on his form in advance of the first round of the track World Cup in Manchester at the end of the month.

The Mayo rider was sidelined by a serious crash in July and suffered facial injuries. He has just finished his last dental treatment and is trying to regain condition.

"I am getting back to health and to training properly," he said yesterday. "I have been to Switzerland a couple of times for track sessions and am now getting ready for Manchester. I'll do the team pursuit there, as I'm not really fit enough to do the individual."

O'Loughlin finished second and third in individual pursuit races in the 2008/2009 World Cup season, having taken sixth in the 2008 World Championships. He is very disappointed with the recent news that the UCI has decided to cut the Olympic track programme.

The governing body's decision stems from the fact there was a disparity between the number of men's and women's events. It will increase the latter, but with the IOC unwilling to increase the overall number of races, some men's races will be cut.

However, with the individual pursuit, the points race and the Madison all rumoured to be facing the chop by December, he and other track endurance riders justifiably feel aggrieved that they are bearing the brunt of the changes.

The longer events appear to be the ones that will be sacrificed, with the multi-discipline omnium tipped to take their place.

"As far as I know it's certain that the individual pursuit is gone," he said. "You spend a few years of your life concentrating on something, building towards the next Olympics, and now its gone. I can't believe they will remove one of the key events."

In other news, Cycling Ireland hold its Champions' Night awards in the Cavan Crystal Hotel. More details on 01-8551522.