Philip Deignan says he has already ridden very hard just one week into the Vuelta, but insists he is on the race to make an impact.
By Gerard Cromwell
Philip Deignan has been to the fore at the Vuelta a Espana in recent days for Team Sky; the Letterkenny man instrumental in causing the field to split in the crosswinds on stage eight yesterday.
He has been busy ferrying bottles and sheltering team leader Chris Froome from the wind in the opening week and also helped guide Froome back into the peloton after his crash on stage six.
Despite his ups and downs, team leader Froome has remained in contention thus far and is currently fourth overall, 20 seconds behind race leader Alejandro Valverde of Movistar.
“Things have been going pretty much to plan really,” said Deignan this morning, Sunday.
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“Chris wasn't really sure where he was at coming into the race, but to get second in the frst hilltop finish has obviously given him confidence and things have gone relatively smoothly so far.”
Despite spending much of the week on or near the front of the peloton, as one of three real climbers on the Sky squad, Deignan is expected to be busy again today as the Vuelta hits the first big mountains with a summit finish atop the first category Aramon Valdelinares.
Deignan has been a familiar sight on the front of the bunch in the opening week of this Vuelta a Espana.
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“I’ve used up quite a lot of energy so far,” admits Deignan, who is also writing a daily Vuelta diary for the Irish Independent.
“But that’s what I'm here to do, to get the work done. I was brought into this team to work for a big leader like Chris in the mountains so hopefully I will be able to do my job over the next couple of weeks.
“I had a bad day on the first summit finish but I think that was more down to the heat than anything. It was unbelievably hot that day but hopefully I will be up there today.”
With the four overall favourites currently filling the top four slots on GC, Froome is expected to feature in the first real showdown of the Vuelta on today’s summit finish, despite his crash of a couple of days ago.
“I don’t think the crash has affected Chris at all," said Deignan.
“He took back a few seconds at the finish on the day he fell and he was well able to ride at the front in the crosswinds yesterday so we’re looking forward to today’s mountain stage.”
Despite his injuries, Chris Froome is ready for action according to Irish team mate Philip Deignan.
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