Scanlon on trial with top French team

CYCLING: Irish national champion Mark Scanlon begins one of the most important periods of his young career when he starts a pro trial with the first-division AG2r team this weekend. The former world junior champion will make his debut in the blue and black of the prestigious French squad on Sunday, lining out in the 1.3 ranked French cup race, Les Boucles de l'Aulne.

His trial continues with seven other world-ranked races in one month, including the 1.1 ranked Coppa Placci on September 7th, the famous Paris-Bruxelles event on September 14th and the GP de Fourmies one day later. Twenty-one year old Scanlon will also ride an Italian stage race, the Giro della Provincia di Lucca, at the start of October as part of his build-up for the world championships.

Ireland's off-road riders are competing in the world championships in Kaprun, Austria, with the first finals taking place today. National cross-country junior champion Lewis Ferguson lines out this afternoon in his event, while the downhill racers have their big appointment tomorrow. Glyn O'Brien, John Lawlor, Colin Ross and Andrew Yoong, will compete in the elite contest while Jamie Popham, James Scott and Ben Reid take part in the junior race.

The remainder of the cross-country riders have their final on Sunday, with the three national champions Robin Seymour, Tarja Owens and Glen Kinning, plus John Mason, all hoping to ride well in their respective events.

Closer to home, Sunday also sees the start of National Bike Week, with their 'pedal picnics' taking place at 13 venues around the country. These family-oriented meets feature short leisure spins and other activities, with the biggest taking part in the Phoenix park between 2 and 5 pm.

Based at the Papal Cross, Cycling Ireland, Hibernian Insurance, 2FM and Dúchas are all joining forces to put on a full programme of events. The day will feature bike safety and skills shows, trials and stunt riding, celebrity races, a bike clinic, plus a quiet 5km circuit for individuals and families to pedal around at their leisure.

The two-wheeled theme continues next week with a number of activities scheduled to take place around Ireland. The biggest of these is National Bike to Work day on Friday, which has the aim of encouraging commuters to swap the car, bus or train for a cheaper and healthier form of transport.

A more intense prospect is on offer over the following two days when the Coast to Coast Challenge takes riders from Dublin to Galway and back along a newly-designed heritage cycling route. The distance is a daunting 132 miles each way, suggesting this one is for the specialists, but Cycling Ireland will provide special buses in order to offer participants the option of completing the journey as part of a relay effort.

Full details of National Bike Week can be obtained by ringing Cycling Ireland at 01 8551523 or visiting www.cyclingireland.ie.

FIXTURES: Saturday: Dickie Comerford Memorial/Andy Mahon Memorial, Batterstown, 11.0 Irish Hillclimb championships, Spelga Pass. 11.0. Sunday: Garill Cup, Ballinrobe (handicap race), 1.0; UCF Veteran/women's championships, Nutts Corner, 10.0; Stamullen RC's Fun Cycle, Clonee,11.0; IVCA DMS, Clane, 10.0