Almost a year after he won a stage in the Vuelta a España en route to ninth overall, Cervélo Test Team rider Philip Deignan was forced to put an end to his 2010 campaign in the race. The 27 year old Irishman got into difficulty on the approach to the day’s final climb up to the finish at the ski resort of Vallnord/Pal, and decided to call it quits.
Deignan went into the season a little behind on training due to injury, and never got back on track. He struggled with periods of poor form and underwent tests on several occasions. Finally, on the run-up to the race, a virus was diagnosed and he underwent treatment. However he was not able to recover on time and with the exception of a couple of solid days, he has been a long way off his form of 2009.
Directeur sportif Philippe Mauduit said that he simply couldn’t continue. “Philip was pretty tired. He’s had a hard season with all his illness and today was too much for him, he just did his best,” he told VeloNation. “Philip was one of the strongest of the team the other day on the Catí climb, so there is nothing to complain about.”
Deignan’s class is clear, and so his priority now will be to ensure he gets back on track. He now faces a search for a new team as the Cervélo squad recently announced it was stopping. Deignan’s previous deal was extended last Autumn and he had another year left on his renegotiated contract. However the team’s decision to call it quits at the end of the season means he is back on the market and hoping to get a slot elsewhere.
He gave a brief online update this evening. “Well, I tried…ten days of suffering and no power, so was advised by the team Doc to stop. Season over, time to get healthy again for next year.”