Lampre take two Chinese stagiaires

Lampre-Fondital have made a historical first step in the ProTour ranks, taking on two Chinese stagiaires: 21 year-old Wu Kin San from Hong Kong, and Xu Gang, a 22 year-old from Shanghai.

Thanks to mediation with their bike supplier, Wilier Triestina, Lampre is keen to explore a basin where the bicycle is the most important form of historical transport, and which could be rich of new talent, as well as an interesting commercial opportunity in light of the 2008 Beijing Games.

The two Chinese racers will be in Italy for a month, and are scheduled to take part in some of the biggest August races, beginning with the Giro del Lazio on Saturday. In this period, they will be attempting to prove their worth for a potential spot on the team the following season.