MARK SCANLON FORCED OUT OF FBD INSURANCE RÁS

The chances of an Irish team win in next week’s FBD Insurance RÁS has suffered a devastating blow with the news that the country’s top professional cyclist, Mark Scanlon, has been forced to withdraw from the race because of illness. After his great win on the last stage of the Circuit des Ardennes in mid-April Scanlon suffered a dip in form which he believed to be the result of over-training due to an injury earlier in the season. However, following a series of tests in hospital over the week he was advised to take a break from racing, as there was an indication of a viral infection. So rather than competing in the record field of 200 riders from Norway, Canada, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, America, Britain, Scotland, Wales and seventeen county teams Mark will now watch from the roadside as his Irish team-mates battle to fill the void caused by his forced absence.

John Dempsey

John Dempsey will now fill Scanlon’s place on the Irish team. The Tipperary rider has shown great form this season including wins in the 4 day Rás Mumhan and the first stage of the Tour of Ulster. The rest of the team is Paudi O’Brien, Conor Murphy, Brian Keane and Stephen Gallagher. Racing in Belgium for the past few seasons Gallagher was drafted in when Paul Griffin had to cry off because of contractual difficulties with his Giant Asia team.

The race will start from the GPO at 12:30 next Sunday and following stage finishes in Emyvale, Tubbercurry, Lisdoonvarna, Templemore, Abbeyleix, Rathdrum and Wicklow Town, the grand finale will be in the Phoenix Park at 3pm on Sunday 29^th May.