Mark Scanlon, the former junior world road race champion, has returned to the Irish peloton and has taken a placing in his first outing.
The Sligo man, who was world champion in 1998, rode the Lakeland Open Race in Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh, last evening in the colours of Botttecchia Racing Club.
Not content with simply being back in the bunch again, now aged 39 years and looking fit, Scanlon got into the mix in the race and competed for the prizes.
A 12-man breakaway getting up the road meant the main prizes were taken, though Scanlon - one of the best cyclists Ireland has ever produced - took 2nd in the bunch sprint.
And that was enough to secure him 2nd in the unplaced A3 category on the night; an A3 man in domestic cycling with an unparalleled record, to say to least.
Advertisement
It's no exaggeration to say Irish cycling had rarely, if ever, seen anything like Scanlon when he was a junior such was his dominance in the category.
While he took victory after victory at home, including the Irish junior road race crown and Junior Tour of Ireland, he launched himself onto the world stage with his gold medal ride in the junior road race at the Worlds in Valkenburg on his 18th birthday.
Related News
Scanlon then went on to ride for the Rabobank development team and won a stage of Rás Tailteann in 2001 while riding for the Irish team.
He had turned professional with the Linda McCartney team a year earlier, though it would collapse in 2001.
He then stepped up to the top flight in 2002 when he joined AG2R Prévoyance, remaining with the team until the end of 2006.
During his time as a professional he took a number of victories, including the Irish elite title in 2002. He won the opening stage of the Tour of Denmark in 2003, and held the race lead for three days, before winning the nationals again that season.
Scanlon won two pro races in Estonia in 2004 on consecutive days; Ühispanga Tartu GP and EOS Tallinn. He was also 2nd in GP de Denain Porte du Hainaut that year; beaten in a two-up breakaway sprint by Thor Hushovd.
In 2005 he won a stage in Circuit des Ardennes and was 3rd overall in Tour de la Somme while finishing 2nd on a stage of Tour de l'Avenir, racing for one more season the following year and riding the Rás again in 2007.
Always a very popular rider, his return to the Irish scene - which hopefully will be lasting - will be welcomed by many people.
Topics
