Gleb Syritsa heads to Asia as one of a clutch of new signings for the China Anta-Mentech continental outfit, as the team look to add significant experience and talent to their roster ahead of 2027.
The 26-year-old sprinter from Russia joined XDS Astana partway through 2022 as a trainee, and has completed four seasons for the team since, recording five victories including four stages of the Tour de Langkawi, and one win in 2026 at the Baku-Khankendi Azerbaijan Cycling race.
Syritsa is one of four new names added to the China Anta-Mentech side for 2027. As reported by Feltet, Syritsa will be joined by Italian Luca Colnaghi, a mainstay at Bardiani CSF 7 Saber for the past five seasons. Colnaghi recently finished fifth on GC at the China Xizang Trans-Himalaya race, notably behind China Anta-Mentech's Alexander Konychev and Willie Smit, who finished second and fourth, respectively.
French sprinter Pierre Barbier is another new addition. The 29-year-old has been riding in Asia for the Malaysian Terengganu Cycling Team in 2026 after two seasons with Wagner Bazin WB, and the resulting displacement following the team's closure. Also joining the team are Colombian Jesús David Peña, who spent three seasons with Team Jayco-Alula from 2022 to 2024, his compatriot Edison Alejandro Callejas from Roojai Insurance Winspace, and 22-year-old Spaniard Vicent Zaragoza, who will make his pro debut in China in 2027.
Formerly China Glory, the team have existed since 2022, and are currently the second best of 15 UCI registered Chinese continental teams, sitting at 47th in the team rankings, 15 places behind Li Ning Star who are pushing for entry into the top 30, currently ranked 32nd. The ambitious recruitment supports the team's aims to ascend the UCI rankings in the coming seasons, and represents another step forward for the racing scene in China.
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Katy Madgwick is a freelance writer and broadcaster, covering multiple disciplines across both men's and women's pro cycling. Katy has written for a broad range of publications, and is a regular contributor to Cyclist Magazine, Cyclingnews, TNT Sports and The Roadbook Cycling Almanack.
On the broadcast side, she is makes regular appearances on Track Radio and is an occasional contributor to BBC Radio, and featured as an expert guest on CADE Media's Pro Show podcast in 2025.
She is a lover of all things French and a cyclo-cross obsessive, and probably ought to get on her actual bike more often.
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