Roll on the good times. Wheel out the superlatives. Last week Mark Scanlon, the young rider from Sligo, was the best Irish junior since Kelly. Now he is simply the best there is, anywhere. In an impressive display early on Saturday morning, Scanlon overcame foul weather conditions, a testing course and the considerable might of the Italian `Squadra' to register the finest ever display by an Irish amateur on two wheels.
After 120 kilometres over rain-splattered roads, Scanlon sprinted clear of an eight-man breakaway in Valkenburg, Holland, to take the gold medal and with it the coveted rainbow jersey of world junior champion. The victory confirms a precocious talent which has earned comparison with Kelly and Stephen Roche. Indeed Roche is the only other Irish man to have worn the rainbow jersey, following his victory in the professional event 11 years ago in Villach, Austria.
On Saturday, Scanlon was aided by Ireland team mates, Dermot Nally, Shane Prendergast, Stephen Gallagher and DAvid Kenneally in the race over a difficult 16.8km circuit, which included the testing climbs of the Bemelerberg and the Cauberg.
Scanlon was prominent throughout, riding close to the front to avoid the many crashes on a road surface rendered greasy by the damp conditions.
On the final lap the Irish rider jumped clear of the main bunch, and displayed considerable strength in powering a nine-man breakaway towards the finish.
"We rode to the bottom of the Cauberg climb," Scanlon recalled. "I lost a little bit of ground, but I rode up to them going across the top. A Dutch rider attacked and I followed him into the last kilometre. I played dead, he panicked and led out the sprint. He was just thinking medals, I suppose; but when he went I didn't come around him until the last 350 metres. And that was that."
Indeed. Waiting until the right moment, ignoring the rapidly closing bunch behind, Scanlon played cat and mouse with Dutchman Coen Loos. Although the two had a slight lead going into the last kilometre, the Irish rider held off until the last moment, timing the sprint to perfection. He thundered across the line, arms aloft and ahead of gutted Italian Phillipo Posatto and the Russian Kivichev.
"It is an unbelievable moment," Scanlon stated, "Especially as it was on my birthday. (His 18th). A bit of a fairytale, a dream come true. When I crossed the line I didn't know what to do, whether to laugh or cry. It means everything to me, as it is probably the most coveted title in the world for a junior rider. I am just delighted, especially with the effort the team made and the support we got all year from the sponsors, Dixons."
Victory in the world championship caps off a superb year for the Sligo man. He has achieved almost 40 wins, including the Credit Union's junior tour, the junior national championships and international triumph in the Viking Trophy Race; and the Belgian Het Volk Classic. Both the number and manner of these victories have attracted attention, with the Sligo C.C. rider finishing minutes clear of the next competitor on many occasions. Indeed, such is his dominance that many expect him to be the next Irish professional cyclist.
What is particularly encouraging following his latest performance is the list of gold medal recipients since the junior world championships began in 1975. Previous wearers of the rainbow jersey include Tour of Italy winners Roberto Visentini and Pavel Tonkov, along with three-times Tour de France victor, Greg Le Mond. All portents for a bright future.
As expected, his victory on Saturday has already attracted attention from team managers in the sport; but Scanlon is pacing himself. "There have been a few people talking; but nothing major at the minute. That will all be discussed when I go home and we will figure out what is the best way to make progress in the future."
