Deignan out of Langkawi

By Jean-Francois Quénet

Irishman Philip Deignan will not participate in Le Tour de Langkawi, as planned initially by his Ag2r team. He suffers a knee problem and the doctors didn't okay his return to competition.

This isn't the first time Deignan faces physical troubles since he turned professional two years ago. He also missed out a part of the 2006 early season after crashing in the opening GP La Marseillaise in France.

Ag2r will start with five riders only in Le Tour de Langkawi (Feb. 2-11): Tour de France stage winner Sylvain Calzati, Tour of Spain stage winner José Luis Arrieta, David Navas, Blaise Sonnery and Julien Loubet.