In an historic moment in Irish cycling we had Irish riders first and second in a stage in a major tour, with Nicolas winning the opening stage of the Tour of Beijing, with Donegal man Philip Deignan in second place.

Good reports here:
www.irishprocycling.com/news/deignan/roche-beats-deignan-big-beijing-win

and here:

www.velonation.com/News/ID/10020/Roche-and-Deignan-take-Irish-one-two-on-queen-stage-of-Tour-of-Beijing.aspx

Photo courtesy of Gary McIlroy, taken at the World Championships in Copenhagen this year.