Cycling Column: Following his start in the Tour of Italy last month, Mark Scanlon is due to line out again with the AG2R Prévoyance team this weekend. He will compete in the 1.1 ranked Grand Prix de Triberg-Schwarzwald in Germany tomorrow and then ride the 1.HC Tour du Canton d'Argovie in Switzerland on Sunday.
Team-mate Philip Deignan is a possible starter in one or both of these races, although the AG2R management were holding off on a final decision until they could ascertain his recovery from the illness which caused him to miss the Tour of Italy.
Navigators Insurance rider Ciarán Power is another due to return to competition with his pro team. He has not lined out with the US-based squad since last September due to a blood flow obstruction, but flew out earlier this week to resume his career with them. The 30-year-old took two stage wins and the mountains jersey in last week's FBD Insurance Rás while guesting with the Éireann Dan Morrissey team, and is clearly over his endofibrosis problem.
Power was due to don the Navigators jersey again yesterday and ride the Captech Classic in Richmond. His participation in the important Pennsylvania Triple Crown series begins on Sunday with the 1.1 Lancaster Classic. He will then do the similarly-ranked Reading Classic on Thursday and following that, ride the prestigious Philadelphia International championship next Sunday, a 1.HC event which will also be used to determine the US national champion.
He said last Sunday his good performances in the FBD Insurance Rás were a boost to his morale. "The week has been great. I had no problem with my motivation coming into the race, I love cycling again, but it just gives me more confidence.
"We will see how I get on when I go back to the US now, because the racing goes up another notch. My form should keep building, though; I don't feel tired at all and I was really watching myself in the race."
Meanwhile, while the category one riders who took part in the Rás continue their recovery, Irish category two, three and junior competitors have their own big event this weekend. The Bayview Hotel Rás Dún na Gall will be held around Killybegs over the next three days, with the opening stage a 35-mile road race on there this evening. A time trial and road race follow tomorrow, with Sunday's stage a 57-mile race which takes in the infamous Glengesh Pass.
FIXTURES: Thursday-Sunday: South Pole to North Pole, Irish endurance cycle, contact Joe McGuire at 086-8702062. Friday-Sunday: Rás Dún na nGall three-day, Killybegs. Stage one starts at 7.30 pm. Saturday: Ulster Youth TT Championships, Sundrive Track Racing, sign on at 10.30 am; Round 3 Irish downhill NPS, Coolavaley.
Sunday: Noel Teggart Memorial, Banbridge. Racing for all categories. Senior races start at noon. Leinster Youth Champs, Stradbally Village. Starts 11am.
