CYCLING NEWS:TOUR DE France green jersey winner Thor Hushovd has spoken in glowing terms about Philip Deignan, the Irish rider who won a stage and finished ninth overall in the Vuelta a España in September.

The Norwegian sprinter, who has won multiple Tour stages, said he was very encouraged by his Cervélo team-mate’s showing in the Spanish Tour, and that he had big expectations for 2010.

“I think Philip is a great rider. We have seen just a part of his big potential,” he told The Irish Times this week. “He won a stage and finishing in the top 10 in the Vuelta, so that is a really great result. I hope we will see him ride well in the Ardennes Classics in Spring (Amstel Gold, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège), and then for the general classification in the big races. He is a really good rider who still has more potential in his body.”

Deignan was recently named as rider of the year by Cycling Ireland, and is preparing for the new season. He is about to take part in a Cervélo training camp in Portugal, and is likely to start racing in the Vuelta a Murcia in March. The Letterkenny rider is shortlisted to make his Tour de France debut in July, although the final confirmation of that will depend on his form closer to the race.

Meanwhile, the national cyclo-cross championship due to be held in St Anne’s Park in Raheny on Sunday has been postponed. Race organiser Greg May said the course itself is very rideable, despite snow, but that poor road conditions around the country led to the decision to call off the event.

“It’s disappointing, but there’s two reasons,” he said yesterday. “Firstly, I don’t want to run an unfair championship with some of the riders not being there. Secondly, I want to make sure that it is safe for everyone to travel to.”

The date for the rescheduled race will be confirmed next week, but it is likely to be either January 31st or February 7th.

Also called off for now is the Cody’s Challenge ride, which is intended to raise funds for Heart Beat. It is being run in memory of Stephen and Judith Gallagher’s son, who sadly passed away before Christmas. The ride is likely to be held on January 23rd.