Deignan delighted with magnificent Vuelta finish

PHILIP DEIGNAN has ended Ireland’s long wait for a top 10 finish at a grand tour by finishing ninth overall in the Tour of Spain which ended with a 110km trek from Rivas to Madrid yesterday.

The Donegal rider, who celebrated his 26th birthday last week, equalled the same place finish registered by Stephen Roche at the Giro d’Italia back in 1993 courtesy of his stunning Stage 18 win on Thursday.

It’s been a gutsy three-weeks for the Cervelo Test Team rider and after the biggest win of his career on Thursday, he still had work to do to preserve his top 10 status with a tough mountain stage on Friday followed by a tough time-trial on Saturday.