Scanlon joins Toyota-United Pro team
Thursday, 25 January 2007Having decided to opt out of the European peloton last autumn, former world junior champion Mark Scanlon was today confirmed as signing for the Toyota-United Pro team.
The 26 year old Sligoman will be based in the US for the majority of this season and is hoping to rediscover his top form there.
Although the squad is registered as a Continental, or division three team, the budget and status on the US circuit is considerably bigger than this would imply.
It enjoyed a strong debut season last year and through the signings of Scanlon and several others, is aiming to build on this success in 2007.
Scanlon completed the Tour de France in July of 2004 but hasn't reached the same form since. He said last autumn that he had been experiencing a lack of motivation there, but was confident that he would be back to full fitness this year.
If he is on form, he is a likely starter in the team's season debut, the high-profile Amgen Tour of California. The 2HC event runs from February 18-25.
