Lizzie Deignan on the right track for World Championships after Giro Rosa work load
Britain’s former road world champion Lizzie Deignan’s 2016 season is all about regaining the rainbow jersey, and the Giro Rosa has set her on the right track for Bergen this September
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

This season is all about the World Championships for Lizzie Deignan and the recent Giro Rosa is a step towards that goal for the Boels-Dolmans rider. Finishing 45th on general classification, Deignan went to Italy to work for her team’s leaders, but also to get some consistent time on the bike.
Her week was a success in more ways than one. Team-mate Anna van der Breggen won the general classification, Megan Guarnier took the final stage and the Dutch outfit won the team time trial which opened the 10 day event.
>>> Six bold predictions for the remainder of the Tour de France
“A massive work load is what I came here for,” an upbeat Deignan told Cycling Weekly in the Italian sunshine. “I have finished healthy and it is only the second time I’ve managed to finish the Giro in my career, so I’m happy with that.”
Despite a strong spring, where she finished second to van der Breggen in each of the Ardennes Classics, this year Deignan has not experienced the success she had before winning the rainbow jersey in 2015.
“My legs just haven’t turned up this season, but I have got my confidence back after this race. I always know that the simple thing I need for me to be competitive is consistency, and I have just not been able to get it through illness and other stuff going on, so it’s nice to come here and get ten days work to perk me up again.
“I am grateful that I am in a strong team where I can come and work hard and we still get results.”
The team started the Giro Rosa with Anna van der Breggen and Megan Guarnier - winners of the two preceding editions - leading the team, with a decision being made on the road.
If that was not decided by stage two into Montereale Valcellina - where unexpectedly high time gaps shaped the final podium - it was confirmed by the fifth day time trial.
“It’s been really nice, though bloody painful,” continued Deignan. “It was a really hard Giro for the workers. Obviously Anna was incredible and worked really hard for it too, but we lacked any real gruppetto days, so it was a real slog to hold onto that jersey from the first to the last day.
“But it’s all about the Worlds for me. There are also a couple of races along the way, so Plouay would be a target for me too.”
Deignan’s 2015 win at the GP Plouay foretold her Word Championship success, but to win in Norway this September she will need to beat van der Breggen, whose form so far makes her the undisputed rider of the year.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, covering professional cycling and specialising in women's road racing. He has followed races such as the Women's Tour and Giro d'Italia Donne, live-tweeting from Women's WorldTour events as well as providing race reports, interviews, analysis and news stories. He has also worked for race teams, to provide post race reports and communications.
-
-
From team collapse to new job in three hours: Marjolein van't Geloof on life after Le Col-Wahoo
Dutch Classics rider now has a fresh start at Human Powered Health, new objectives, and a licence to attack
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Brexit led to 25% drop in sales, says bike storage company founder
Cycloc founder Andrew Lang said government support has been insufficient
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Lizzie Deignan expecting second child, will miss 2022 racing season
Paris-Roubaix winner to return in 2023 and has extended contract to 2024 with Trek-Segafredo
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Six Of The Best Women's WorldTour races of 2021
It’s been another fabulous year of women’s racing, most which we have been able to watch, here are our six favourites
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
'That was really not the plan,' says Lizzie Deignan after stunning Paris-Roubaix victory
The Brit says her attack was by accident, as she found herself with a gap after riding on the front to support her two team leaders
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Lizzie Deignan ready for women to deliver Paris-Roubaix spectacle, sets future sights on Milan San-Remo return
'It's been hyped up for so long now that we really need to deliver a good race,' says the Brit
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Tokyo Olympics: Full list of Team GB cyclists competing
Geraint Thomas, Lizzie Deignan and Tom Pidcock among the star names
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Coryn Rivera wins the final stage of Giro Donne while Anna van der Breggen takes her fourth title
Rivera pipped Lizzie Deignan on the line as the British rider finishes fourth for her best Giro finish
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Trek-Segafredo win the opening team time trial at Giro Donne 2021 for the second year running
Ruth Winder will wear the maglia rosa in stage two after leading the winning squad across the line
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Lizzie Deignan back to winning ways as Brit wins GC at the Tour de Suisse Women
Marta Bastianelli took the final stage from a nine woman breakaway
By Owen Rogers • Published