Having grown up in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, Philip Deignan has been catapulted back into the big time with Team Sky this year.
Along with fellow Irish men Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche, he got a stunning welcome at the Giro d'Italia team presentation at Belfast's City Hally last night, Thursday.
Coming from so close by and having moved back into the top flight of late made the event extra special for him.
Toby Watson was there for stickybottle and got these great shots of the ace climber.
Philip Deignan is back in the big time and looked ready to go last night (Toby Watson)
Team Sky, with Deignan in the line-up, being led out last night onto the stage (Photo: Toby Watson)
Deignan greets those at the front of the massive crowd that crammed into last night's event (Photo: Toby Watson)
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Looking perhaps a little nervous as he made his way to be introduced to the crowd and interviewed (Photo: Toby Watson)
Nice shot of some of the faces in the crowd who were delighted to see the three Irish riders last night (Photo: Toby Watson)
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With the iconic winner's trophy (Photo: Toby Watson)
Deignan looked to be enjoying the occasion once he absorbed the warmth of the welcome, which surprised him at first (Photo: Toby Watson)
Pensive, apprehensive? We think he's going to do the business in the third week of this year's race and don't rule out a big ride for Sky in the team time trial (Photo: Toby Watson)
He definitely appreciated the crowd really getting behind him (Photo: Toby Watson)
A little earlier, Deignan brought some of his team mates to meet local club VC Glendale (Photo: Toby Watson)
VC Glendale have gone pink for the occasion
Signing a few autographs on his way out of last night's event (Photo: Toby Watson)
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