Seven days after he took his first home win of the year on the final stage of the Rás Mumhan in Kerry, former world junior champion Mark Scanlon (Nantes 44) once again topped the podium in the Joey White memorial race in Stamullen today. The 20-year-old finished alone, one minute and 20 seconds clear of former breakaway companion Shane Prendergast (Naas) and a further 5 seconds ahead of a charging main bunch, led home by Phil Cassidy of Cycleways.
With a total of six ascents of the gruelling Snowtown hill to be covered, it was little surprise that the climb proved decisive throughout the race. On the second 12 mile lap, a group of five riders forged clear, led by Olympic mountain bike rider Robin Seymour (Wicklow Off-Road club). These escapees were joined just under one lap later by a trio of chasers, including Scanlon, who worked well together to establish and maintain a lead of over a minute. Also present were Irish under 23 champion David O’Louglin (CC Nogent Sur Oises), Keith Gallagher (Orchard), Denis Lynch (Kanturk), Vincent Gleeson (West Clare), Andrew O’Carroll (UCD) and Prendergast.
However, with the bunch always posing a threat, Scanlon, O’Loughlin and Prendergast pressed ahead on the fifth ascent of Snowtown, with O’Loughlin being jettisoned one lap later. Scanlon then dispatched Prendergast with five miles to go, and showed his strength by eking out a lead of over one minute in the short run-in to the finish.
