Ciaran Power recorded his first placing with the St Quentin professional team when he finished an excellent fourth in the world-ranked GP de Lillers in Brittany today. Power was part of a strong fifteen rider group which went clear shortly after the start of the rain-swept race, and from this group Power and four others went on to dispute the final result.
With ten kilometres to go, eventual winner Jean Michel Tessier (Cofidis) and Sven Tertendera (Festina) forged ahead, and at the line Power proved second-fastest of the a trio of chasing riders to take fourth. Of the six man Ireland team, Morgan Fox and Mark Scanlon were strongest, riding in a chasing group behind the main breakaway for most of the race. However, in the closing stages former Tonissteiner professional Fox was forced to retire due to mechanical problems. Scanlon also stopped in the closing stages of what was his first race this year.
'It was pretty encouraging for Morgan and Mark,” says Ciaran McKenna of the ICF. 'Both were up there all day, riding well. Morgan feels that without the bike problems he would have done quite well, while Mark is just settling into the season after a late start.' Scanlon had been sidelined ever since the collapse of the Linda McCartney team at the end of January. He starts with his new Nantes 44 squad this week.
Filed by Shane Murray
