Team Sky will make its debut at the Tour de Langkawi this week, selecting an experienced team capable of challenging for the overall victory with Colombian Sebastian Henao who will lead the GC aspirations of the team. Chris 'CJ' Sutton will be the designated sprinter for the UCI 2.HC race which offers several opportunities for the fast men. Although it hasn't raced in Langkawi since its inception in 2010, Team Sky's squad for the eight stage race includes several riders and staff familiar with the event. "For a couple of years, we've been considering taking part in Le Tour de Langkawi and finally, this time around, we've made it a reality", said Team Sky's head directeur sportif Nicolas Portal. "Personally, this race is close to my heart since it was my first one as a professional with Ag2r in 2002. A few of us in the staff also have found memories of racing in Malaysia so we put on a good word to our coaches to decide on the race program."ADVERTISEMENT Portal isn't the only directeur sportif to have a connection to the race. Markus Ljunqvist, who will also DS at the race, won the queen stage to Genting Highlands in 1999. Phil Deignan is also returning to the race although his objective is to deliver Henao to the best overall position possible as he explained rather than focus on the overall. "I've come to race in Malaysia a few times and I last rode Langkawi with Cervélo in 2009", Deignan said. "I finished 11th that year but this time, I'm not going to target GC. I'll be a support rider for our Colombian climber." You can read more at Cyclingnews.com

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