Mark Scanlon gained another valuable 39 seconds on his principal British rivals during yesterday's sixth stage of the Credit Union Junior Tour. With just two more stages today and tomorrow, the Irish Junior champion leads his British counterpart Yanto Barker by a minute and one second with Bradley Wiggins (Team Brite) at 2:16.

At the end of the 64 miles from Ballina to Tuam a group of 13 were clear and although Scanlon was only 10th, he had been mainly responsible for doing most of the driving at the front when he joined the leaders. Scanlon had team-mate Shane Prendergast with him in the lead group and Prendergast's efforts put him back over another member of the Dixons Ireland team, Stephen Gallagher, into fourth place. In the opening miles Scanlon and Wiggins tried to get breakaway groups going, but none were willing or able to join them. Then at Charlestown, 24 miles, 12 forged ahead and near Ballindine, with 13 miles to go, Scanlon bridged the gap across to the leaders with a powerful surge.

The British team had Sam Collins up ahead, but Barker missed the move, with Wiggins, and they paid the penalty.

Approaching the finish Belgian Joachim Schoonacker, already winner of two stages, looked all set to add to his tally but with 200 yards to go he pulled over as his team-mate Rolf Raats came through. Visitors dominated the top placings with David Farrell (Bray Wheelers) best of the Irish in sixth.

There is a transfer to Portarlington for today's stage to Carlow with the severe climb at The Butts coming near the end of the 72 miles. Then there is just the criterium in Dublin tomorrow, over a circuit at Mount Street, and it will be a big surprise if Scanlon is toppled.