Former rider Li Fuyu told Cyclingnews that Wang Meiyin, who has been signed by Bahrain-Merida, has talent. China's first ever Pro Tour rider is convinced that Wang Meiyin is the best of his country.

"I wish Meiyin the best of luck. He's really professional and I'm sure he'll deliver a good show in the pro races as much as he's done with us for the past six years. He's definitely China's best cyclist ever", he told Cyclingnews.

Wang Meiyin is the fifth rider from China to join the top level after Ji Cheng (Giant-Alpecin), Xing Yandong, Xu Gang, whose future is uncertain after three years with Lampre-Merida and Li Fuyu (Discovery Channel 2007 and RadioShack 2010).

"He's been approached by big teams before, like Orica-GreenEdge and Giant-Shimano, especially after the 2013 Tour de Langkawi [he won the stage 3, finished first of the mountain classification, 5th overall and best Asian rider], but this is the first time that we have had a face to face discussion with a team. The request came from the head manager of Merida in China before the Chinese national championships in September. After I talked with [team manager] Brent Copeland, I'm convinced Meiyin will have a good chance to express his potential at the highest level."

There is a chance that he will be at at the start of a three-week race in 2017. "Meiyin will probably take part in the Tour de France one year. I don't know which year, but it won't be only to finish it; he'll ride for the podium, whether it's to get a jersey or a stage victory. But he can first work for [Vincenzo] Nibali. I hope he'll do the Giro or the Vuelta next year. He'll discuss his program with the team in December", Li Fuyu concluded.

He will start his first season in the World Tour at the Santos Tour Down Under, in two months.