Lizzie Deignan gears up for European Championships with victory at GP Plouay

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 up a lead of over a minute as riders behind squabbled over who should lead the chase, contesting the victory alone as Deignan was 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 Thursday's European Road Championships on these same roads.

PA