Dundrum cyclist Aidan Duff has continued his good start to the season by placing 17th overall in a keenly contested two-day event in France. The 25-year-old was 11th on the 141-kilometre opening race of the Tour Du Canton De Saint-Ciers, finishing in the same time as winner Stéphane Froucher of the CG Orelans team. Duff then placed 18th on the following day’s 157-kilometre second stage, 44 seconds in arrears of Pole Marek Lesniewski of the CM Aubervilliers squad. Time bonuses meant that Duff finished the event 57 seconds behind overall winner Froucher.
Former world junior champion Mark Scanlon will also be satisfied with his performance in the race. The 20-year-old Sligoman came out of the event credited with a fifth-place finish in the best climber contest. With placings of 32nd and 31st on stages, Scanlon ended the race 29th overall, 4 minutes and 28 seconds behind Foucher and was seventh in the best young rider classification.
Duff’s ride is further proof of the good form exhibited this year by the French based rider, who was tipped for a professional contract three years ago by Stephen Roche but was then hampered by injury and illness. Back to form in 2000, Duff joined the Super Sport 23 La Creuse team at the end of the season and has performed at a high level since. He will be one of the riders vying for a place on the five-man Irish team for the forthcoming FBD Milk Rás, a race he will be determined to do well in after having to pull out last year through injury.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
