Gerrans and Deignan out for one month

French team AG2R has announced that Simon Gerrans and Philip Deignan, who both crashed in the Grand Prix d'Ouverture de la Marseillaise last week, have been successfully operated on. According to the team doctor Eric Bouvat, they will be able to return to racing in 30 to 45 days time, depending on the speed of recovery.

Irishman Philip Deignan underwent surgery on his right collarbone on Wednesday. He will be able to get back on a home trainer in about ten days, and has already been released from hospital. His team-mate Simon Gerrans, winner of the 2006 Tour Down Under just two weeks ago, has to remain in a Nice hospital until next week after being operated on both shoulders on Friday.

Gerrans was yesterday announced as a selection for Australia's team for the Commonwealth Games (March 16-26) and has said he hopes he will be be recovered in time to compete, but will surrender his place if he is not.