Philip Deignan has broken a collarbone and fallen ill since the start of the year, but he's coming good and makes the Team Sky line-up for the Giro d'Italia starting in Ireland next month.
By Gerard Cromwell
Ireland's Philip Deignan has been named in Team Sky's line-up for the 2014 Giro d'Italia, which starts in Belfast and has three stages in Ireland next month.
Although the Letterkenny man has ridden the Giro on three previous occasions, it will be his first Grand Tour for the Sky team.
“As soon as I heard that the Giro d’Italia was starting in Northern Ireland it was a goal of mine to be there," said Deignan.
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"Racing there with Team Sky is a real honour for me. We’re going with a good balance of youth and experience and we’re all looking forward to it.
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"Growing up in Letterkenny, I never dreamt of riding a Grand Tour here in Ireland and this is my chance. I’m going to relish every minute of it, racing in front of my friends and family.”
With potential GC contender Richie Porte withdrawn from the Giro squad earlier in the year, the nine-strong team for the first Grand Tour of the season will also feature Italian riders Dario Cataldo and Salvatore Puccio alongside Edvald Boasson Hagen, Bernhard Eisel, Sebastian Henao, Kanstantsin Siutsou and the in-form British duo Pete Kennaugh and Ben Swift.
This year's Giro d'Italia begins with three stages in Ireland. Starting with a time trial in Belfast on Friday, May 9th, the race will then have a road stage along the causeway coast on day two before leaving Armagh for Dublin on stage three.
The following day, the Giro will move on to Italy from Tuesday, May 13th, with the last of the 21 stages in Trieste on Sunday, June 1st.
“The Giro d’Italia is a fantastic race and this year provides a great opportunity for the team to go out and really express themselves on the bike," said Sky team boss Dave Brailsford.
"We’ve brought together an exciting squad and we can’t wait, not only for the start in Northern Ireland, but to perform in front of our Italian fans.”
Deignan is currently in action for Team Sky at the four-day Giro del Trentino where he began today's third stage in 25th place overall.
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