End of the road for Philip Deignan as he opts out of pro cycling

Ireland's Philip Deignan has decided to retire from pro cycling, confirming the news this morning.

The first Irishman to win a Grand Tour stage in the modern era since the days of Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche, Philip Deignan has announced his retirement.

Deignan, from Donegal, released a short statement this morning saying he was grateful to be going out after an enjoyable career and in full health.

“With a combination of sadness but also a huge sense of pride and optimism I would like to announce my retirement from professional cycling,” he said.

“As a 15-year-old riding around Donegal I never dreamt that I would go on to make the sport I love my job for 14 years.

"I appreciate all the opportunities that have come my way and to so many people who have helped me during my career, thank you."

“There have been lots of ups and downs. But to be able to finish my career healthy and at the top of my sport with the best team in the world, makes me grateful and proud. On to the next challenge.”

Philip Deignan his way to Tour of Gila overall victory five years ago while racing in the US.

Left to right, Nicolas Roche, Philip Deignan and Fumy Beppu in the summer of 2003 when trying to break into the big time. They were riding for top French amateur team VC La Pomme Marseille at the time.

The Irish rider, who recently became a father for the first time, was with Team Sky for the last years of his career.

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His contract with the squad expired last year and was renewed for another 12 months for the 2018 season.

Having raced in the pro ranks for 14 years Deignan had been looking for a new contract for next year.

However, his wife Lizzie Deignan in a recent interview suggested he may or may not continue on the bike in 2019. And now his retirement has been confirmed.

The Irish rider has ridden with Team Sky for the past five years. He began as a pro in the 2005 season with AG2R Prévoyance.

Philip Deignan would stay with that outfit for four years and then spent two seasons at the Cervelo Test Team.

It was during his time there, in 2009 and 2010, that he enjoyed his best ever results. In the first year of his contract he won a Vuelta stage and was 9th overall in the race.

It was the first time since Irish cycling's glory days of the Kelly-Roche era that an Irish rider had won a Grand Tour stage.

In 2011 Deignan rode with RadioShack, enduring a testing year with the team. After that season he went to UnitedHealthcare, a US-based ProContinental team.

He recaptured his form there and would win the Tour of the Gila overall. Furthermore, his performances captured the eye of Team Sky.

He signed for the team in the winter of 2013 as his contract with UnitedHealthcare neared an end. And he has remained at the British WorldTour outfit ever since.

As well as winning the Tour of the Gila and claiming a stage in the Vuelta, Deignan also took victory in the Tour du Doubs in France in 2005.

In the same one-day race Deignan's then team and fellow Irishman Mark Scanlon was 3rd across the line.