Scanlon makes triumphant return home

MARK SCANLON returned to his native town to parade his immense cycling talent for the first time since he won the world junior title.

The people of Sligo turned out in their thousands, and he responded with a powerful display of strength and courage to retain the national championship title in spectacular fashion.

The 22-year-old westerner, who rides for the professional AG2R Prevoyance team in Europe, covered the testing 105 miles in 4 hours, 1 min, 38 secs 46 seconds faster than the teak-tough Corkman Denis Lynch, who took the silver, with another professional, David O'Loughlin (Ofoto Lombardy Sports), five seconds further back in third place.