Cycling Reports

Deignan and O’Brien in world cup event.

As the Tour de France visited Marseille on Tuesday, Phillip Deignan and Paidi O’Brien were two spectators preparing for major races themselves.

With Deignan already pre-selected for the Irish team in the European Championships being held in Greece in August, the 19-year-old from Letterkenny in Donegal is keen to do well in the major event for espoirs.

“It will be very hot out there in Athens,” said Deignan: “We expect it to be around 38 degrees. It uses the same course that the Olympics will be using next year so it will be quite difficult.”

This season Deignan has been racing for the French division one amateur team VC La Pomme since February but rides for Total Cycling in domestic events at home in Ireland.

Deignan’s teammate Paudi O’Brien is hoping for selection for the Irish team in the European championships too. The youngster from Banteer, County Cork has also been selected by the club for their next major race in Italy at the weekend. The Giro del Casentino is part of the Under-23 World Cup series.

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