Deignan delighted she’s back to her best after Brittany win

YORKSHIRE’S Lizzie Deignan led home a British one-two as she won the GP Plouay ahead of Lizzy Banks in miserable conditions in Brittany.

As strong winds and sideways rain battered the peloton, Equipe Paule Ka’s Banks launched an attack with 35km of the 101km race to go, with Trek-Segafredo’s Deignan one of three riders to bridge over before the pair went clear.

They built a lead of over a minute as riders behind squabbled over who should lead the chase, contesting the victory alone as Deignan proved too strong for Banks in a sprint to the line.

After the long break in racing, it was Deignan’s first win since the Women’s Tour in June last year, and a third career win in this race after victories in 2015 and 2017.

The strong showing will be a welcome confidence boost for both riders before they don Great Britain colours and team up in tomorrow’s European Road Championships on these same roads.

Deignan, who has suffered a series of crashes since racing resumed in late July, said: “Obviously I’m delighted, it’s been a difficult season for everybody so far and we’ve had a lot of bad luck in the first few races.”

The Otley-born 31-year-old continued: “It’s been clear to me that we’ve had the strongest team in all the races and finally the luck was on our side.

“Plouay is a really nice race and I always seem to do well here. The rain came which was an extra bonus for me, finally no more sweating in the heat for me!

“I’m really, really happy and grateful to the whole team for their effort.”

■ Hugh Carthy will make his Tour de France debut this weekend after being named in the EF Education First squad.

The 26-year-old Lancastrian will ride in a support role as the team’s three Colombians, Rigoberto Uran, Sergio Higuita and Dani Martinez, set their sights on the battle for yellow.

Carthy, 26, rode to an impressive 11th place in the Giro d’Italia last year to show his own potential in a Grand Tour. “I’m really excited to do my first Tour, it’s the biggest cycling event and one of the biggest sporting events in the world so it’s a big, big deal,” Carthy said.

“Ahead of my first one, I’m feeling nervous and excited in equal measure. I’m going to try and enjoy it, and hopefully get something out of it and help us put in the best team performance we can.”