Deignan Wins Stage 18, Valverde Closes in on Top Podium Spot

Not to minimize Philip Deignan’s Stage 18 win at the Vuelta a Espana, but Alejandro Valverde is closing in on winning the 2009 grand tour. There is really only one more chance for anyone to make a move on the Spaniard and that would be tomorrow’s stage. We’re down to the final stages, gents.

As for Deignan, he’s the first Irish rider to win a stage of a grand tour since the 1992 Tour de France. Deignan was part of a 16-man breakaway in a cold and wet day in Spain.

“Everything worked out just right,” said Deignan, who also gained nearly 10 minutes and bounced into 9th overall at 7:49 back. “I saw that Kreuziger was the strongest in the group and I followed him when he attacked. I expected him to attack me on the cobbles in the final kilometer, but maybe he didn’t have the legs.”

Congratulations to all of Ireland today. And to Cervelo test team, who took their second stage in the Vuelta. Interestingly enough, it seems like the field has continually weakened as this Vuelta has gone on. For example, Garmin Slipstream had three riders drop out on Thursday.

The question is, can Valverde hold on over the final stages for the win? It’s looking like that will be the case unless he’s involved in a crash and since he’s spending much of his time in the peloton lately, you never know.