Deignan expects strong Vuelta a España showing

Set to line out in the Vuelta a España tomorrow as one of two Irish riders in the race, Philip Deignan has said he is satisfied with his form heading into the three-week event.

The Team Sky rider won a stage and placed ninth overall in 2009. He recently finished seventh overall in the Tour of Poland and s appears well positioned for a strong Vuelta.

‘Pretty positive’

“I am feeling pretty good,” he said yesterday. “Poland was pretty positive. I had a few weeks easy after and then got in another small training block. I feel ready.”

Deignan moved to Sky after a strong 2013 and has made a quick transition to the demands of top level European racing. He was third on stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia, second and sixth on stages of the Tour de Suisse before Poland.

He says a number of factors have helped him to perform well, including a move to Monaco.

“I’d already a pretty solid year last season,” he said. “I finally got things working again and was moving in the right direction, staying healthy and being able to train hard.

“This year I am in a different environment, both in terms of the team and also where I am living. I’ve got good coaching and living in a nice climate and training in the mountains have all been helpful.

“I probably needed to do that consistently - to stay in one place, get in good training and be with a good group. I like warm conditions and I like the big climbs.”

Deignan said he doesn't harbour personal ambitions for the Vuelta a España, accepting his role is to help 2013 Tour de France winner Chris Froome.

The Briton has returned from the fractured tibia which ruled him out of the Tour and Deignan feels he is in a good position.

‘Good shape’

“He seems in really good shape and really motivated. I was training with him last week,” he said. “He is definitely up for it. For sure we are all here to support him and we have a really strong team as well.”

Garmin-Sharp rider Dan Martin is also riding the Vuelta. He will be doing a regular diary from the race for The Irish Times.

A feature interview with Martin will appear in tomorrow’s paper.