Philip Deignan is on the open road now with Team Sky; training in Australia ahead of his debut with the squad at the upcoming Tour Down Under, which starts next Monday.
Here’s a nice collection of shots of Irishman Philip Deignan with his new Team Sky squad in Australia, where they have been preparing for the Tour Down Under which starts next Monday.
The Donegal man has been selected to ride the eight-day stage race alongside Richie Porte, Ian Stannard, Bernard Eisel, Chris Sutton, Luke Rowe and Geraint Thomas.
Deignan had already had plenty of opportunity to settle into the Team Sky camp before his departure to Australia, having been involved in the squad’s recent training camp in Majorca.
The Tour Down Under will be his first competitive outing in the Sky colours and his first since crashing out of the Tour of Britain last September, when he broke his collarbone.
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Team Sky usually perform well in the Australian race and have been on the podium on three of the last four seasons – though a win has so far eluded them.
The race generally features stages surrounding Adelaide, which varies from flat to moderately undulating.
There are no large mountains in the area, giving specialist climbers like Deignan few opportunities to show their particular skills.
However, one notable climb featured involves a summit finish atop Willunga Hill on Stage five – a 3 km climb at an average gradient of 7.6 per cent which often has a big bearing on the overall result.
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Getting the liquids in as the temperatures soar in Australia; Deignan is looking for a good training and racing block to continue the return to form he captured with UnitedHealthcare last year.
It's not just a wine, it's a real place; the team just visible in the distance and getting the miles in on the deserted roads.
They do the bun run a little differently in the pro peloton, with the team car following close behind.
Deignan, second from left, will have had a vital opportunity to get to know his new teammates better before the racing gets underway for what will be a hectic season in the fold of the world's biggest team.
Richie Porte and Luke Rowe lead the group, with Deignan sitting on the outside of the second row, just behind Porte.
Trailer for the Tour Down Under: January 19th to 26th
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