Philip Deignan wins stage 19 of the 2009 Vuelta a Espana into Avila, with a vanquished Roman Kreuziger in the background. The Irishman is back in the race with Team Sky this weekend (Photo: Stefano Sirotti)
Philip Deignan has been named in a very strong Team Sky line-up for the Vuelta a Espana that goes into the race with the main aim of aiding leader Chris Froome to overall victory.
The Briton finished runner-up in the race in 2011, which was a breakthrough ride for him at the time and the first indication that he was a Grand Tour contender.
Deignan also has very fond memories of the event, winning a stage and finishing 9th overall when riding for Cervelo back in 2009.
In recent months he has once again demonstrated the form that brought him those career-best results. And while he is now heading into the three week race primarily to help Froome, he has the form to win a stage again should be get the chance.
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In the team are three British riders; Froome, Peter Kennaugh and Luke Rowe.
There are six nationalities in the line-up, with the rest of the team made up of Deignan, Dario Cataldo, Vasil Kiryienka, Christian Knees, Mikel Nieve and Kanstantsin Siutsou.
With Froome's big rival Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) set to ride the race after breaking his leg in the Tour de France, the Vuelta promises to be the showdown that the Tour never was. It means Froome will need strong team mates like Deignan on the mountain stages.
After Froome crashing out of the Tour de France, when he broke bones in his wrist and hand very early in his title defence ride, team principal Dave Brailsford said the upcoming race, which starts this Saturday, was a great chance to get back into the mix on a Grand Tour stage.
Philip Deignan climbed with the very best in the Giro d'Italia in May; his best ride 3rd on stage 18. Could he do better in Spain over the next three weeks?
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And he said Deignan was now key to the team’s hopes of making sure Froome is strong and can strike at his opponents in the high mountains.
"I’m delighted that we’ll go there with a strong team that’s very capable of performing well. Chris Froome will be our team leader and it’s great to have him back on the bike and focused on the challenge ahead.
“He was obviously very disappointed after having to withdraw from the Tour de France but has recovered and trained well since the injury. He’s now more determined than ever to get back to what he does best – riding Grand Tours.”
He said Froome’s fellow Brits Kennaugh and Rowe were both well capable of making a major impact on the race.
“Philip Deignan and Mikel Nieve both race their second Grand Tours of the season and will add real quality in the mountains, with Dario Cataldo adding all-round ability to the team,” Brailsford added.
"Experience and expertise are vital components when selecting any successful team and Chris has three hugely-experienced riders alongside him in Christian Knees, Kanstantsin Siutsou and Vasil Kiryienka.
“Together they have raced 36 Grand Tours and that adds a huge amount of value to the team. We’re all excited, focused and ready to get started."
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