CYCLING: PHILIP DEIGNAN continued to show up well in the Tour of Italy yesterday, finishing with all of the main favourites at the end of the marathon 232-kilometre stage to Peschici. It was the second day running that the Irish professional did so on a hill-top finish and he consequently held on to his solid 61st place overall.
The 24-year-old crossed the line 43rd with all of the riders in the 50-man group finishing 11 minutes 34 seconds behind the day's winner, Matteo Priamo.
The Italian was part of an 11-man break that was allowed to gain a considerable amount of time on the field as none of them are considered a threat for the overall classification.
Italy's Giovanni Visconti of the Quick Step team snatched the lead thanks to a late dash to the line and some hard work in the decisive attack of the stage.
Meanwhile, several strong riders will lead the Irish challenge in the FBD Insurance Rás which begins in Navan on Sunday and runs for eight days.
The Irish national squad will be led by 2004 race winner David McCann, and Paul Griffin, recently first and second overall in the Tour of Ulster. Roger Aiken, Micheal Concannon and Robin Seymour will support their challenges.
The Belgium-based An Post M Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly team will feature Irish riders Paudie O'Brien, Mark Cassidy, Stephen Gallagher and Isaac Speirs, as well as the Belgium Benny de Schrooder.
O'Brien rode exceptionally well in last year's race, taking second on three stages plus second overall.
Perhaps the biggest challenge will come from the Team Pezula squad. Double champion Ciarán Power and David O'Loughlin have both shown strong form this year and are targeting a victory.
The team is completed by British rider Kieran Page, the Australian Cameron Jennings and Irish under-23 national road race silver medalist Martyn Irvine.
In total, 140 riders will line out for the event, competing for teams from Ireland, Iran, France, Germany, Bulgaria, Holland, Poland, Norway and the Isle of Man.
Britain is also well represented with the Stena Rapha Condor recycling.co.uk team, including two past winners.
These are the former world track points race champion Chris Newton, winner in 2003 and 2005, plus the 2006 victor Kristian House.
The Norwegian Morten Hegreberg is also sure to mount a strong challenge after finishing third in 2005 and 2006.
The Rás line-up will also include 20 county teams. The race features stage finishes in Ballinamore, Claremorris, Lisdoonvarna, Tralee, Skibbereen, Clonmel, Roundwood and Skerries. It is ranked 2.2 on the world calendar and the world ranking points will guarantee flat-out racing all the way.
