Philip Deignan of Team Sky was set to participate in the Vuelta a Aldalucia this week, but an unfortunate training crash forced him to change his schedule for the coming weeks, as the Irish rider has broken a collarbone for the second time within only five months.

After crashing in the training ride near his base in Monaco, Deignan returned to his home Ireland to undergo the recovery period and everything suggested he will be able to return to competition very quickly.

Even though Team Sky’s Lead Doctor Alan Farrell, reluctant to confirm exactly when Deignan will be back in action, was pleased with the progress being made with the injury, now the quick return to competition seems very unlikely and his participation in the Giro d’Italia is under a serious threat.

As the Team Sky is eager to bring home the Maglia Rosa with Richie Porte being the grand tour leader of the formidable British squad for the first time, they need to fill their roster with riders perfectly prepared to support the Tasmanian cyclist and compete with Movistar for the final crown.

In such circumstances and with no more than 11 weeks before the Giro d’Italia 2014 kicks off in Belfast, the Irish climber most likely will be forced to swallow the disappointment.

Finishing within top ten in the 2009 edition of Vuelta a Espana, the former UnitedHealthcare rider was meant to be one of the most reliable domestiques for Porte during his Giro d’Italia campaign, but apart from a huge disappointment following the crash and its consequences, Deignan looks into the future and aims to join the Sky roster for the Tour the France if his participation in the Italian grand tour won’t turn into reality.