Cycling Reports

World Championships

 By Cian Lynch in Lisbon, Portugal

Under 23 Time Trial, 33.7 kms.

Irish duo mark Scanlon and Denis lynch competed in today's 33.7 kilometer men's under -23 time trial at the world cycling road race championships in Lisbon.

Kanturk man Denis Lynch was first off, and rode strongly to catch up to his one minute man, but was unlucky at 9km to fall on a corner. He quickly remounted and composed himself, but on a difficult course such as this, the 30 seconds lost were going to go against him for the remainder of the course. He finished well up nonetheless, in 41st place.

On the back of a terrific 7th place in the men's under 23 Paris -tours on Sunday, Scanlon was going to have to work hard for a top placing. Scanlon had ridden across to the break on his own in Paris -tours, catching the small pack of leaders with 7km to go, but the stinging climb at the end was just too much for the sligoman, who contented himself with 7th place His recent 10th place in the European time trial championships would have indicated good form, but his legs were evidently heavy after his recent high placings. Scanlon will be satisfied however, that his 23rd place shows continued good form, and will look forward now to some active rest and recovery ahead of his race on Friday.

The winner of the event was American Danny Pate in a time of 46:29, second was Sebastian Lang (Ger) in 47:07, and in third was James Perry of South Africa at 47:08. Perry had led at the time splits for much of the race.

Tomorrow sees juniors Tim Cassidy of Clondalkin and Letterkenny rider Phillip Deignan compete in the junior men's time trial. Over much of the same hilly terrain, the 19.2 km circuit will be a great opportunity for these young up and coming riders to show their class against the worlds best.