Scanlon signs with US team for season

Cycling Column:The former world junior champion Mark Scanlon has been signed for the 2007 Toyota-United Pro team, four months after he announced he would be leaving European racing for the US scene.

Scanlon had spent four seasons with the AG2R Prévoyance team and in 2004 became the first Irish rider in 11 years to take part in the Tour de France.

But in September he spoke to The Irish Times about his disillusionment with the European peloton, saying only the prospect of a change of scene was keeping him in the sport.

"I want a fresh start and so a move to a totally different scene seems like a good idea," he said.

"I have been in Europe since I was 17 or 18 and it has come to the point now where I am not getting motivated for the big races the way I should be."

Although it was known he was heading to the US, he said he was unable to name the team he would be racing with until they made their own announcement.

In a release issued yesterday, Toyota-United Pro confirmed his signing, saying they looked forward to working with him and three other new acquisitions.

"We've added some serious fire-power and Pro Tour level experience with Mark Scanlon, Henk Vogels and climbing specialist Burke Swindlehurst, plus our wild card Caleb Manion," stated team manager Harm Jansen.

"I think we'll definitely have an impact on the domestic racing circuit this year."

Although Scanlon will be based mainly in the US, he will line out against top European teams in several races there. If he is on form, he is a likely starter in the team's season debut, the high-profile Amgen Tour of California. The 2.HC event runs from February 18th to 25th.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed this week the newly renamed Murphy and Gunn/M Donnelly Seán Kelly squad will participate in the Tour of Qatar, arguably the team's biggest assignment yet.

The race runs from this Sunday until next Friday and will feature some of the world's top riders. The race was dominated last year by the then world champion, Tom Boonen.

The Ireland under-23 champion, Páidí O'Brien, and compatriots Paul Healion, Stephen Gallagher and Mark Cassidy are part of the squad - as are Tim Meussen, Rieno Stofferis, Christophe Beddegenoots and Dane Glen Bak - for the prestigious, 2.1-ranked early-season event.

Finally, with just one stage remaining in the Tour of Siam, Paul Griffin is a fine 13th overall. The Giant Asia rider has shown good form at this early point of the season and is one minute and 57 seconds off the general classification time of team-mate and overall leader Jai Crawford.

Griffin finished 17th and 30th on stages four and five, respectively, and was lying eighth in the mountain classification.

Ryan Connor is also taking part and is performing domestique duties for his team-mates Crawford and Griffin.

Giant Asia are clear leaders in the team classification.

FIXTURES

SATURDAY:Women's coaching session with Paddy Doran, Swords (includes training ride). Call Róisín for details at 087-7773150. Cycling Leinster social/training spin. Meet at Papal Cross, Phoenix Park, at 10am. CI members only.

SUNDAY:MTB DH winter league round two, Cloon Wood, Enniskerry. Sign on from 9.30. MTB XO winter league round two, Castle Park Bangor. Connacht MTB league, Ross Wood, Killanan, Co Galway. First race at noon.