LETTERKENNY cyclist Philip Deignan has been forced to withdraw from this week’s Ruta del Sol after suffering a fractured collarbone.
The accident occurred while Deignan was finalising his preparations for the Spanish race near his base in Monaco, and the 30 year old has now returned to Ireland to undergo a period of rehabilitation.
The injury is Deignan’s second collarbone fracture in the space of five months, having damaged his left side during last season’s Tour of Britain.
The climbing specialist is disappointed not to be making his second Team Sky start but it expecting to make a speedy recovery.
One of four new signings for 2014, Deignan is the first Irishman to ride in Team Sky colours. Now into his 10th year as a pro, he has made his return to WorldTour level and is more motivated than ever to show what he can do.
With six Grand Tour appearances to his name – including a stage victory and top-10 overall finish at the 2009 Vuelta a Espana – climbing specialist Deignan has experience in three-week competitions as well as an enviable stage race record.
2013 saw the Irishman excel on American soil, collecting a string of top results at the Tours of the Gila, California, Utah, and the USA Pro Challenge.
He told TeamSky.com: “The medical team have taken a good look at it and we’ve decided not to have surgery, so I’m back home in Donegal now getting ready to go again.
“My collarbone’s a lot more mobile than the last time this happened so I’m hoping I’ll be back on the bike sooner rather than later.
“It’s frustrating more than anything else when something like this happens. I was happy with the way things went at the Tour Down Under and I was looking to continue building my form at the Ruta del Sol.
“It’s not the end of the world though, it could have been a lot worse, so I’m trying to look at it in a positive way,” he said.
His season target is May’s Giro d’Italia, which begins in Belfast and also visits Dublin.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)
Letterkenny cyclist Philip Deignan will represent Team Sky in the Giro d’Italia, which starts in Sardinia next week. Deignan...