The latest rider to join the first Chinese World Tour team comes from Norway. Vegard Stake Laenge, an all-around rider who was born in Fredrikstad on 7/2/1988, has signed a deal for the 2017 season with TJ Sport - the team currently known as Lampre-Merida - becoming one of the top riders of the team for the time trials after his third place in the Chianti stage against the clock in the Giro d'Italia.

The tall Norwegian who turned pro in 2009, has obtained four victories in addition to two silver medals in the 2011 road national championships and in the time trial national championships in 2016.

"When I was a child, I used to watch on tv the cycling races and in the bunch there were also riders of the teams of manager Saronni," Vegard Stake Laengen said. "So now it's such a feeling to sign a contract for racing in TJ Project of Mr Saronni. It's an amazing opportunity for me, also because I'll continue to compete in the World Tour and in the races I like the most. 

"I really like time trials and I like to join the breakaways. If I should choose the aims for the next years, I'll love to obtain a stage victory in a Grand Tour, perhaps in a time trial or thanks to an attack. I'm aware of the fact that these are ambitious goals, I'll try to do my best to achieve them.

"I thank the teams who have supported me in my career and TJ Sport for having chosen me for their project"