CYCLING: A strong but mistimed bid for glory saw Irish national champion Mark Scanlon finish 18th in the Under-23 European championship road race in Italy yesterday. The 21-year-old former world junior champion broke clear alone with three of the 12 laps remaining in the 168-kilometre race, then was joined by two others, but despite their combined efforts they were reeled in by the chasing group.
The Irishman was left stranded when a series of counter-attacks went clear and, hindered by riders unwilling to assist his chase, eventually finished one minute and 25 seconds behind Swiss winner Michael Albasini.
Meanwhile, Tommy Evans was best of the Northern Ireland team in the Commonwealth Games road race on Saturday. Evans was involved in an early breakaway and eventually finished a fine 12th, with Denis Easton 19th.
Irish professional David McCann rode strongly but was forced out after breaking his chain.
There was no joy for the Irish in the European MTB championships: Robin Seymour crashed and finished 56th in the Elite men's race, with women's entrant Tarja Owens 46th. Glen Kinning was 62nd in the under-23 event, nine places ahead of Lewis Ferguson's position in the junior race.
