Irish Cycling has waited a long time to produce someone with the potential to emulate Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche. But many in the sport feel that Mark Scanlon can fill the void - the 17-year-old has 34 victories to date this season including the prestigious Credit Union Junior Tour and the Het Volk Classic in Belgium.

A tale from last June says much about Scanlon's reputation. It's the end of the Dunboyne threeday race, a four-stage test of endurance and character for junior riders and second-category seniors, and spirits are high among the cluster of cyclists gathered near the race headquarters.

One rider discovers his bicycle dismantled and suspended out of reach up a tree. Another changing in the car park has the towel which preserves his modesty torn from his waist. All light-hearted stuff, but antics that leave the Dunboyne residents somewhat bemused as they return from Sunday mass.

Outside the schoolhouse which acts as race headquarters, a small group of tracksuit-clad riders stand and chat animatedly. One of those who was representing the Leinster team, Dave Smith, commands attention. Throwing his leg over the huge Kawasaki which belongs to one of the race referees, he puts seat to saddle, hand to throttle and delivers his version of the famous Nike golfing advertisement.

The symbolism is understood by all present. "I'm Mark Scanlon," he says. "I'm a f***ing motorbike."

A light-hearted statement, but one which spoke volumes. It is both a reflection of the dominance of the young rider from Sligo, and of the resignation of those who try to compete with him. Like most athletes, cyclists are reluctant to concede best to another, but this competitor has guaranteed the admiration of his peers through strength of leg and style of racing.

For since Mark Scanlon took to two wheels at 11 years of age, his performances and progression have been testimony to a rare natural talent.

His results speak volumes: Irish champion at under-16 level, then last year taking the junior 25-mile time trial title, the Classic league for under-18 riders, and two stages plus second overall in the Junior Tour.

And 1998 has been even better. Under the guidance of coach Padraig Marrey, Scanlon has registered 35 victories to date, most of them against senior riders and most in that distinctive manner. Head down, caution to the wind, big legs grinding out the gears as he rides away from the rest of the field.

There have been wins in the Gorey three-day stage race, with victories in three of the four stages. Victory, too, in the aforementioned Dunboyne three-day event, where Scanlon romped clear to win alone on the opening day. He took the next two stages for good measure and only got beaten into second place on the final stage because the peloton ganged up against him.

There was the Tour of Galway, where he took all three stages and the overall prize. Then a prestigious international win at the Isle of Man, in the Viking Trophy senior race. And one week later he became the Irish national junior champion, the duo of Scanlon and Spanish-based Dermot Nally finishing a massive six minutes ahead of the next rider.

More international successes followed, with four victories registered in Belgium. Among these was a win in the famous Het Volk classic, a display which confirmed the talent already recognised by those involved in the sport here.

It was particularly satisfying for Scanlon. "The Het Volk was a brilliant race," he said. "It was with an international field of juniors with the three national champions of Belgium, Holland and Flanders there. In the last 20 kilometres there was about eight of us left in a breakaway group when the Belgian champion attacked. I went across to him in the last 10 kilometres, the two of us sprinted for the line and I took it."

It was a performance which impressed the team managers present. "Everybody was shocked, they didn't know who I was or what I had done. I was only riding with myself and Dessie Foley (an Irish team-mate), while the other teams there had seven or eight riders working for one man. They were pretty shocked to see that I came over from Ireland and won."

For a young rider testing the waters, it was a useful trip. Contacts were made, phone numbers given and the promise of assistance should he decide to make a longer campaign abroad in the future. But most important of all was the boost to morale, the knowledge that he could mix it with the big boys and flourish. "It was just what I needed," he says. "I have a lot of potential, if I train harder I could really be up there with the best of them."

His next big challenge is with the Irish team in the World Championship at Valkenberg, Holland. The junior road race is on October 10th and his performance will be watched with interest. He is cautiously optimistic about doing well.

"Last year I finished 28th and hadn't raced in five weeks, so I think I can do better this time. But as far as getting in the medals goes, it is an ambition, but it all comes down to what happens on the day, because it is only a oneday race."

He believes that the Het Volk win will be a great boost "because that Belgian national champion that I beat in the Het Volk, Kevin D'Hasse, is constantly racing on the international circuit. He has won a couple of world cup races so I am pretty confident that I can put in a good performance."

The warm reaction of Scanlon's fellow competitors and his level-headed response after his Junior Tour win at the end of August are telling.

An international event for riders under 18, the race covered 490 miles in eight days around Ireland. Beside the finishing area in Lower Mount Street, Dublin, a small crowd of riders, officials and spectators remain, half an hour after the end of the race.

Scanlon has been particularly impressive during the week, taking three stages, the green points jersey, placing second in the mountains competition and leading from start to finish. He has beaten his nearest rival, the world junior pursuit champion Bradley Wiggins, and his margin of victory - three minutes and 29 seconds - is one of the biggest in the 21-year history of the event.

Weary from the week's exploits, he'd like nothing better than to flop into one of the cars parked alongside the finish, put the feet up, relax, and take in what he has just achieved. But his moment of respite hasn't yet come. There are trips to the podium, a couple of interviews, and an endless stream of photographs to satisfy the sponsors before he can unwind.

And as he moves through the crowd, clad in a bright yellow jersey, there is no shortage of people wanting to shake his hand. Spectators, including some of the senior riders he races against during the year and also his fellow competitors in the Junior Tour, all are eager to offer their congratulations.

In a sport as competitive as cycling, their sincerity is somewhat unusual. There is no hint of jealousy, no thoughts of `it could have been me'. This is partly due to the character of Scanlon; down-to-earth and modest in victory, he is liked by many. But there is also a sense of respect, respect for what he has done and what he may yet achieve.

Some have already begun to compare him to great champions, referring to him as "the best junior since Kelly". It's a bit unfair, but he says that he doesn't let the burden of their expectations get to him. "What I do with that," he says, "is just let it in one ear and out the other. I can only do my best and fulfil my potential, that's it. There is no point in getting carried away with things, I'm still only 17."

It is caution that is echoed by veteran Steve Flynn, one of those who helped a young Stephen Roche on his way to becoming a professional cyclist. "There is no doubting the strength of Mark Scanlon," said Flynn. "What he has achieved as a junior is outstanding, and he had shown great potential. But what is important is how he handles the transition into the senior ranks.

"He mustn't allow himself to get frustrated when the racing gets tougher, he must give himself time to adapt. But provided he avoids overdoing it, he could go a long way."

Only time will tell. But for the moment, the impressions he is making are good. One of those who competed with Scanlon in the race was young Thomas Lavery, riding his first Junior Tour with the Leinster team. Riding strongly, two days from the finish he was lying in sixth place overall and leading the competition for best first-year junior.

But on the penultimate stage it all went wrong for him. A puncture and a bad crash ensured that his overall placing tumbled, and with it his morale. Covered in cuts and scratches, Lavery completed the final stage and crossed the line looking tired and thoroughly despondent.

"Hard luck," you offer. "You were flying until the accident." The look he returns suggests it is a sore point, and one which he does not want to discuss.

"But what about Scanlon, that was a good win," you suggest, trying to change the topic of conversation.

The response says much. "That lad," he states, dejection clear in his eyes, "is an animal."

And with that he pedals slowly and painfully away in the direction of the team car. Enough said.