Philip Deignan?

mistermatthew

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Appealing as it sounds, I think it would be wishful thinking that Sky could transform Deignan to the next Chris Froome.

For a start, he's older than Froome, and I don't think they're comparable riders to be honest. Deignan doesn't have the TT pedigree Froome has, so there's no way he could morph into a Grand Tour contender.

Yeah it sure is, he ain't got the tt pedigree of a froome, but if they sort him out health wise, something british cycling and team sky seem to have a great ability for there is potential for a series of stage wins and perhaps some day an old one two combination from dan and philip in a world champs, although this years course is ideal but perhaps too early

Fr D Maugire

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Appealing as it sounds, I think it would be wishful thinking that Sky could transform Deignan to the next Chris Froome.

For a start, he's older than Froome, and I don't think they're comparable riders to be honest. Deignan doesn't have the TT pedigree Froome has, so there's no way he could morph into a Grand Tour contender.

Well considering Froome had no pedigree as anything before Vuelta 2011, I wouldn't describe it as wishful thinking to believe SKY might be capable of improving Deignan as a rider.

happytramp

Fr D Maugire wrote: »

Well considering Froome had no pedigree as anything before Vuelta 2011,

Didn't he finish 2nd to Wiggin's in the national TT championships the year before?

Beasty

happytramp wrote: »

Didn't he finish 2nd to Wiggin's in the national TT championships the year before?

... and 2nd in the "B" World Championships in 2007

What Sky have shown is an ability to take raw talent and turn it into world class. If Deignan has real ambitions and Sky believes he has the potential I can't imagine a better team to bring the best out of him

kumate_champ07

Fr D Maugire wrote: »

Well considering Froome had no pedigree as anything before Vuelta 2011, I wouldn't describe it as wishful thinking to believe SKY might be capable of improving Deignan as a rider.

he was selected to train at the UCI centre in Switzerland a while back

Chips Lovell

Fr D Maugire wrote: »

Well considering Froome had no pedigree as anything before Vuelta 2011, I wouldn't describe it as wishful thinking to believe SKY might be capable of improving Deignan as a rider.

Froome was a strong time triallist long before the Vuelta of 2011.

mistermatthew

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Froome was a strong time triallist long before the Vuelta of 2011.

Let the haters hate, They can't be talked around, just look at the tour threads lol

Fr D Maugire

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Froome was a strong time triallist long before the Vuelta of 2011.

Clearly our definitions of strong TT rider differ greatly then, I would count someone who finishes Top 10/15 regularly in TTs in stage races or Top 20 World Champs as a strong TT rider, outside of that is decent to average.

Regardless Philip Deignan has shown plenty of climbing ability from a young age so they should be able to do something with that ability. I would hate to see him turned into another SKYBOT though.

I would actually love to see Deignan at Garmin with Dan Martin but they don't seem interested.

Chips Lovell

Fr D Maugire wrote: »

Clearly our definitions of strong TT rider differ greatly then, I would count someone who finishes Top 10/15 regularly in TTs in stage races or Top 20 World Champs as a strong TT rider, outside of that is decent to average.

Froome was finishing in the top 20 in the World Championships as far back as 2009. Which I guess would make him a strong TT rider in your book.

Fr D Maugire

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Froome was finishing in the top 20 in the World Championships as far back as 2009. Which I guess would make him a strong TT rider in your book.

You must have missed the word "regularly".

Inquitus

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/15195/Team-Sky-confirms-signing-an-Irish-rider-could-be-of-strategic-importance-wont-comment-on-Deignan-speculation.aspx?

Fr D Maugire

The more I think about a possible move to SKY, the less I like of the idea. If he goes to SKY he will be turned into another mountain domestique for the GTs. When exactly would he get a chance to shine for himself? If he had been at SKY this year, he would have been working for Wiggins/Uran at the Giro, Froome at the Tour and Henao at the Vuelta. Now Uran has left and Wiggins looks likely to leave but then I think Porte will step up to be a leader. I just don;t see where we would get the chances to shine as SKY don't seem to let their key mountain doms head up the road in breaks. Too many leaders to work for at SKY.

If anything Deignan has benefited this year from riding for a lower level team and I think a lower level PT team with less leaders would be a better choice for him though I don't know what other offers he has had. Thinking maybe Orica-Greenedge or Argos-Shimano here.

luapenak

Solid ride in Utah, I make it out at 5th overall

Inquitus

I think he's 6th as Acevedo teleported out of nowhere due to cack coverage

ROK ON

I do find Sky's tactics to lack the panache one associates with cycling but in fairness they use tactics that are designed to win.
Guess what, it works.

Of course if they sign PD it will be to take enormous pulls in the mountains - that is precisely where his strengths lay. I would wager that when he is not ill that be is at least as strong in that role as many of their current crop. If he goes to Sky and does well he will get chances.
Best of luck to him with whomever he joins - but he number 1 priority should be to get to the bottom of what makes him so inconsistent.

dastardly00

Philip Deignan (UnitedHealthcare) finished a very impressive 10th overall at the USA Pro Challenge (2.HC ranked 7-day stage race), 4'12" behind the winner Tejay Van Garderen (BMC). He finished ahead of riders like Michael Rogers (Saxo-Tinkoff), Andy Schleck (Radioshack), and Andrew Talanksy (Garmin-Sharp).

AnotherView

Philip Deignan to Sky next year .....some train pulling I suppose

But hope he gets to ride the Tour as I think that's an ambition of his

John.Icy

Tour de France champion 2014.

Pablo Rubio

Good luck to him I hope it goes well. Strong Irish presence in Grand Tours next year hopefully.

happytramp

Pablo Rubio wrote: »

Good luck to him I hope it goes well. Strong Irish presence in Grand Tours next year hopefully.

I'm sure he'll want to do the Giro.

Dr. Bre

Deignan for the Giro or in support for porte

Fr D Maugire

AnotherView wrote: »

Philip Deignan to Sky next year .....some train pulling I suppose

But hope he gets to ride the Tour as I think that's an ambition of his

I think Deignan would like a chance at the Giro considering it visits Ireland. I don't think there is any way SKY will let him do both the Giro and Tour. Tough one Giro or Tour.

AnotherView

Fr D Maugire wrote: »

I think Deignan would like a chance at the Giro considering it visits Ireland. I don't think there is any way SKY will let him do both the Giro and Tour. Tough one Giro or Tour.

Bit of a problem for 3 top Irish riders next year...

Nico will be required to support Contador at Tour and he loves the Vuelta, his best GT and Giro is in Ireland ....??????

Mind you Tour stars in England so lots of Irish can see that in person

happytramp

AnotherView wrote: »

Nico will be required to support Contador at Tour and he loves the Vuelta, his best GT and Giro is in Ireland ....??????

I'm going to hazard a guess that due to his strong showing in this years Vuelta, his average showing at the tour and his potential marketing value to his team with the Giro starting in Ireland, he'll do the Giro, the Vuelta and give the tour a miss.

(not saying Roche was poor at the tour but Saxo have plenty of other riders who can preform in such a role)

Kav0777

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/deignan-signs-for-team-sky


Cycling news reporting on Philip Deignan signing for sky. It's official it would seem.

Harrybelafonte

Well, Deignan already won a stage of the Vuelta so if he's back on form, a return there would be nice.

ednwireland

Philip Deignan: Not intimidated by move to Team Sky

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/540280/philip-deignan-not-intimidated-by-move-to-team-sky.html

"I'm absolutely delighted. It's a dream come true," he beamed today when the move was made official. As regards riding with the likes of the last two Tour de France winners, Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins, Deignan said he won't be intimidated if and when he's called on to support them next season.

letape

Philip Deignan has been listed in the SKY team for the Tour of the Basque Country - the Vuelta al Pais Vasco (April 7-12)

He is riding with Peter Kennaugh (team leader), Ben Swift, Josh Edmondson, Vasil Kiryienka, Mikel Nieve, Danny Pate and Xabier Zandio.

I haven't checked but I expect this will be broadcast on Europsport.

MPFG

Yes its on Eurosport
And I think Mikel Nieve is Sky leader .....he is from Basque country and a very good climber...it really is a climbers race

Contador , Quintana , Horner et al are all riding it...should be a good race

A little worried Nico not riding enough climbing races if preparing for Giro...think he should be in this race

Harrybelafonte

MPFG wrote: »

Yes its on Eurosport
And I think Mikel Nieve is Sky leader .....he is from Basque country and a very good climber...it really is a climbers race

Contador , Quintana , Horner et al are all riding it...should be a good race

A little worried Nico not riding enough climbing races if preparing for Giro...think he should be in this race

It'd be nice to see ex-Euskaltel riders do well this year.