Two Chinese cyclists, Wu Kin San and Xu Gang, have joined the Italian team Lampre-Fondital to step onto the professional road race world scene. 

 

The Italian peleton's official website confirmed the signing of the two Chinese cyclists. 21-year-old Wu comes from Hong Kong while 22-year-old Xu hails from Shanghai.

 

Lampre-Fondital says the move seeks to both tap the rich potential of new talents as well as the commercial business in Asia.

 

It believes Wu Kin San and Xu Gang will prove pleasant surprises for the professional cycling world, adding that the Chinese cycling movement will surely receive an important boost in view of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

 

The two Chinese racers will be in Italy for a month, taking part in August's most important Italian races. They will participate in their first race this Saturday, the Giro del Lazio.

 

The two may also win a contract with the team for the coming years if they display their skills during this month's races.

 

Lampre-Fondital is one of the world's top peletons. The team finished sixth in the overall rankings for the 2006 Tour de France.

 

(CRI August 3, 2006)