Background
He grew up on the Cantril Farm housing estate in Liverpool, the youngest of 10 children.
He grew up on the Cantril Farm housing estate in Liverpool, the youngest of 10 children.
McLoughlin"s talent and aggressive riding as a junior and young senior caused excitement in the British cycling press He turned professional in 1985 and in his rookie year came 4th in the Dutch one-day classic, the Amstel Gold Race. Despite this early promise his wins were few due to a series of injuries (especially tendinitis) and he was unable to ride the 1987 Tour de France with the African National Congress team
After that team folded he rode for other professional teams until his retirement in 1991.
He was a neighbour and schoolmate of football players Ian Bishop, David Fairclough and Mick Quinn and musicians Paul Rutherford (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) and all members of The Farm.