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Mark Scanlon Forced Out Of FBD Insurance Ras. The chances of a Irish team win in next week's FBD Insurance Ras has suffered a devastating blow with the news that the country's top professional cyclist, Mark Scanlon, has been forced to withdraw from the race because of illness. After his great win on the last stage of the Circuit des Ardennes in mid-April Scanlon suffered a dip in form which he believes to be the result on over-training due to a injury earlier in the season. however ,following a series of tests in hospital over the week he was advised to take a brake from racing, as there was an indication of a viral infection. So rather than competing in the record field of 200 riders from Norway, Canada, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, America, Britain, Scotland, Wales and seventeen county teams Mark will now watch from the roadside as his Irish team-mates battle to fill the void caused by his forced absence. John Dempsey will now fill Scanlon's place on the Irish team. The Tipperary rider has shown great form this season including wins in the 4 day Ras Mumhan and the first stage in the Tour of Ulster. The rest of the team is Paudi O'Brien, Conor Murphy, Brian Keane, Stephen Gallagher. Racing in Belgium for the past few seasons Gallagher was drafted in when Paul Griffin had to cry off because of contractual difficulties with his Giant Asia team. The race will start from the GPO at 12.30 next Sunday and following stage finishes in Emyvale, Tubbercurry, Lisdoonvarna, Templemore, Abbeyleix, Rathdrum, Wicklow Town, the grand finale will be in the Phoenix Park at 3 pm on Sunday 29th May. |
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