Cycling: Mark Scanlon is continuing to gain strength in his first professional season, placing fifth on the opening stage of the Tour of Germany earlier this week and so recording his best result since joining the paid ranks.
The 22-year-old Sligoman has already ridden far more races than in the whole of last year, but seems to be building form rather than becoming tired.
"Mentally and physically, Mark is getting better and better," says his coach Padraig Marrey, who guided him to his junior world championship success in 1998. "His confidence is really coming on and I think his first pro-win is not far off."
Scanlon is scheduled to ride the Tour of Switzerland after the German tour ends on Monday.
Meanwhile, fellow Irish professionals Ciarán Power and David O'Loughlin are aiming to ride well in the remaining two races of the Wachovia Series, which reaches a climax on Sunday with the US Pro championships in Philadelphia.
The Wachovia Classic in Trenton, New Jersey takes place on a flat 140 kilometre course and should result in a strong performance by Power's Navigators team.
The squad will be particularly motivated to repeat their win in the US Pro championship, with defending champion Mark Walters and team leader Henk Vogels amongst the favourites. Power is likely to fulfil team duties, but may get a chance for a high placing himself. O'Loughlin is one of the protected riders on his Ofoto Lombardi Sports team, and will be particularly motivated to impress after his illness-induced withdrawal from the Irish Milk Rás.
On Sunday, the country's cross-country MTB riders will line out in the Pog Challenge in Roundwood. A world-ranked E2 event, riders will have the opportunity to secure UCI points in the contest, which takes place over a large lap in the Ballinastoe Woods area.
Sunday also sees the IVCA's Wicklow 200 event take place. Although it is a non-competitive test, it is one of the biggest rides of the year for cyclists, with about 1,000 expected to take part.
The event is actually comprised of two cycles - the Wicklow 200 takes the riders over 11 tough climbs, including Sally Gap and Slieve Maan, while the 100-kilometre Wickow Gap challenge follows a similar course for the early part of the day before heading back to the start/finish at the National Basketball Arena. Entries will be accepted on the day. More information is available from the excellent website www.wicklow200.ie.
FIXTURES
Saturday: Stagg Lucan road race, Lucan. Sign on at Sarsfields GAA club from 9.30 a.m. Tommy Given Memorial, Hillsborough: Starts 12 noon. UCF Underage TT Champs, Richill. Starts 2 p.m.
Sunday: Clifden Grand Prix, Clifden: Main events 12 noon, underage at 1 p.m. Kevin McInerney Memorial, Dunlavin: Starts 1 p.m.. Kingdom Bar road race, Killorglin: Starts 2 p.m. Tour of Mournes, Newry. Starts 12 noon. Pog Challenge, Ballinastoe Wood, Roundwood. Program starts at 12 noon. Wicklow 200/Wicklow Gap challenge. Starts 7 a.m. at National Basketball Arena, Tallaght.
TOUR OF GERMANY
Stage Two (Altenburg - Kronach): 1, Gerben Löwik (Bankgiroloterij Cycling Team) 183 kilometres in 4 hours 49 mins 40 secs; 2, G. Rast (Phonak Hearing Systems) at 1 sec; 3, F. Wegmann (Gerolsteiner) at 2 mins 20 secs; 4, K. Asle Arvesen (Team fakta); 5, S. Wesemann (Team Telekom); 6, I. Nozal Vega (ONCE-Eroski); 7, E. Zabel (Team Telekom) at 2 mins 25 secs Other: 81, M. Scanlon (Ag2R Prevoyance) at 15 mins 17 secs. Stage Three (Coburg - Ansbach): 1, Leon Van Bon (Lotto-Domo) 188 kilometres in 4 hours 40 mins 11 secs; 2, C. Agnolutto (Ag2r Prevoyance); 3, R. Van Der Ven (Bankgiroloterij Cycling Team) 4, Erik Zabel (Team Telekom); 5, J. Kirsipuu (Ag2R Prevoyance); 6, G. Glomser (Team Saeco) Other: 80, Scanlon, at 16 secs.
General classification (After Stage Three): 1, Ras, 14 hours 13 mins 50 secs; 2, Lowik, at 11 secs; 3, Zabel, at 1 min 45 secs; 4, Glomser, at 1 min 56 secs; 5, Wesemann, at 1 min 58 secs; 6, Vega, at 1 min 58 secs Other: 56, Scanlon, at 15 mins 8 secs.
WACHOVIA INVITATIONAL
Stage Two (Lancaster, Pennsylvania): 1, Jakob Piil (Team CSC) 146 kilometres in 3 hours 23 mins 42 secs; 2, M. McCormack (Saturn Cycling Team) at 1 min 18 secs; 3, J. Dean (Team CSC); 4, M. White (US Postal); 5, J. Lieswyn (7UP/Maxxis); 6, U. Murn (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiavé) all same time Other: 22, C. Power, at 13 mins 9 secs.
General classification (After Stage Two): 1, Grégory Rast (Phonak Hearing Systems) 9 hours 33 mins 23 secs; 2, G. Löwik (Bankgiroloterij Cycling Team) at 24 secs; 3, Zabel, at 2 mins 1 sec; 4, S. O'Grady (Credit Agricole) at 2 mins 9 secs; 5, Wesemann, at 2 mins 11 secs; 6, Vega at 24 secs Other: 55, Scanlon, at 15 mins 8 secs.
