Irish professional Philip Deignan achieved his best Grand Tour performance since winning a stage and finishing ninth overall in the 2009 Vuelta a España when he placed third on a tough mountain leg of the Giro d'Italia yesterday.
The Team Sky rider’s strong performance occurred despite the fatigue of being in the previous day’s breakaway, and was the best Irish stage result in the race since Stephen Roche was third on a stage in 1989.
It confirms that Deignan is back to something close to his top form. He is still building condition after breaking his collarbone earlier this year and could well try once more to chase a stage victory on Saturday’s final mountain stage at Mount Zoncolan.
The 171km stage from Belluno to Rifugio Panarotta featured three climbs and saw Deignan get clear in a 14-man move on the first of those, the Passo san Pellegrino. They opened up a decisive lead over the main peloton and on the final climb, Deignan showed that he was one of the strongest.
Best of rest
Colombian rider
Julian Arredondo
(Trek Factory Racing) attacked inside the final four kilometres, with compatriot Fabio Duarte (Colombia) chasing solo behind him. Deignan was best of the rest, crossing the line 37 seconds behind Arredondo and 20 behind Duarte.
Race leader Nairo Quintana (Movistar) finished two minutes 46 seconds back, rolling in just in front of his closest rival Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma Quick Step). The rider who had been third overall, Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team), cracked and slipped to ninth overall.
Nicolas Roche ended the day 32nd overall while Deignan improved to 37th.
The latter’s team sport director Dario Cioni applauded the Irishman’s performance. “It wasn’t the toughest climb from a gradient point of view but it was a long climb and the riders aren’t as fresh now nearly three weeks in. Philip did a brilliant job and up to the final two or three kilometres we were in the mix for the win. Arredondo then just showed he had a little bit more, so hats off to him.”
Deignan’s ride could put him in the frame for inclusion to Team Sky’s Tour de France team. He has never ridden the tour and would likely relish the chance. However, the close timeframe between the Giro and the start of the French event could prompt the team to instead put him in the Vuelta a España, which begins in August.
In the hunt
Roche has also been in the hunt for a stage win and has ridden well on several stages. He is almost certain to ride the tour, where he will be required to back Alberto Contador as the Spaniard tries to win what would be a third title.
Elsewhere first year pro Sam Bennett has been riding well this week for his NetApp Endura team in the Bayern Rundfarht stage race. He was fourth on Wednesday’s first stage despite launching his sprint a little early, then yesterday went on the attack on the 164.7km race to Reit im Winkl Winklmoos-Alm.
The stage was a hilly one and while he wasn’t expected by his team to be there in the finale, his ride enabled him to win the first two intermediate sprints and to put himself second overall in the points competition.
Bennet will try to snag a stage win on the flatter days ahead.
Bennett has already clocked up two victories in his debut pro season and is on the team’s 14 rider longlist for the Tour de France. Nine riders will ultimately be selected prior to the start on July 5th.
Details in SPORTS ROUND-UP
