Deignan fights for best Irish Grand Tour place in 17 years

Philip Deignan (Cervélo TestTeam) celebrates his win.

Philip Deignan (Cervélo TestTeam) celebrates his win. (Image credit: AFP)

Philip Deignan's chance of equalling the highest Irish Grand Tour finish since Stephen Roche placed ninth in the 1993 Giro d'Italia will come down to a 27.8 kilometre race against the clock today. Deignan (Cervélo TestTeam) fought hard to preserve his ninth place overall yesterday's final mountain stage of the race, having started two minutes and 57 seconds ahead of Juan José Cobo (Fuji Servetto) in the overall standings.