Deignan back on the road after injury as Giro looms

After breaking his collarbone back in mid-February, Donegal professional cyclist Philip Deignan returns to action today with a stage-race in Italy and is optimistic about his chances of riding the Giro d’Italia, which starts in Belfast on May 9.

Having broken his left collarbone, for the second time, on a rain-soaked Tour of Britain stage last September, Deignan broke his right collarbone just over six weeks ago when he ran into the back of a car that stopped suddenly in front of him while out training, but the Team Sky rider believes he’s going to be on the start-line in a little over six weeks.

“I’m still really optimistic about being there, but it’s going to take time to build up again. We’re still six or seven weeks out and a lot can happen in that period,” he said.