RIDER OF THE MONTH, LOOKING BACK ON ’09 WITH PHILIPP DEIGNAN
It has been a few months since the Castelli24H crite race took place, and also last time we spoke to Cervélo’s Irishman, Philipp Deignan. We thought the Cervélo Team-Camp in Switzerland was a good excuse to catch up again. (part 1.)
Looking back, how has 2009 been?
The racing season is finally over and I’m looking forward to at least four weeks break after one of my most satisfying years in the professional ranks. I certainly feel like I have moved up a level this year and riding the Giro and the Vuelta in the same year was a valuable experience in terms of developing overall as a rider.
“Winning a stage in the Vuelta is the obvious highlight of the season but completing two Grands Tours taught me a lot.”
2009 highlight?
Winning a stage in the Vuelta is the obvious highlight of the season but completing two Grands Tours taught me a lot about the levels that I can go to and how my body can cope and recover well.
Are there areas where you are better than before?
Finishing Tour of Lombardy of almost 250 kilometres so late in the season was a positive for me and I was happy enough with 40th overall. Looking back I know now that I’m able to race over that distance whereas before I couldn’t, and I wasn’t there at the end of a 250 kilometre race. That’s a big step forward.
Any specific training planned, this winter?
Part of my success this year is down to the fact that I took a decent break last year. I felt the benefit almost straight away when I started back training. I felt so much stronger at the start of this season than previous seasons and that also comes from developing each year as a rider. Listening to my body is something I’m perfecting much more and I know that I need a minimum of four weeks off the bike, so I’ll start back training at the end of November or at the latest December 1st.
Follow Deignan online: www.philipdeignan.com