ORICA-GreenEDGE has welcomed 2016 Asian road race and time trial champion Cheung King-Lok to the team roster this year.

The Hong Kong rider will join the Australian outfit as a neo-pro alongside the likes of Jack Haig, Alexander Edmondson and Robert Power.

“First of all, I am really honoured to be a part of the ORICA-GreenEDGE professional cycling team,” King-Lok said. “The team is a very strong team in the WorldTour, I was so excited when I knew this news from my head coach.

“This is my professional debut. It's a new step, a big chance for me to breakthrough in areas such as strength, skill sets, tactics, all about cycling and even something about our life.”

Pending his transition into the team’s programme King-Lok could start racing as soon as the Vuelta Ciclista a La Rioja in early April.

But the 25-year-old, who also represented Hong Kong at the recent UCI Track Cycling World Championships in London, also recognises the learning curve ahead.

“I know that it's a huge difference between Europe and Asia,” the 2013 Tour of Korea runner-up said. “I hope I can adapt to the rhythm of it as soon as possible.

“I am willing to do it well and be a great Asian rider in ORICA-GreenEDGE.

“Communication is the most important part in cycling, because we need teamwork inside. I would definitely communicate more with my new teammates, to know everyone, and to know how the team works.”

King-Lok joined team owner Gerry Ryan and general managerShayne Bannan in Hong Kong today to make the announcement in conjunction with the Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China (HKCA) and Hong Kong Sports Institute.

Bannan was pleased to welcome the young rider having followed his progression for a number of seasons.

"We are really excited about bringing Cheung King-Lok to the team and to help him take the next steps of his career with us,” Bannan said. “Cycling is a rapidly growing global sport and having the possibility to take on young riders like Cheung is a big part what we want to do.

“We have followed his development closely and worked really well with the Hong Kong Cycling Federation to identify the best path for him to take. There is some extraordinay work being done out here and we are happy to have the possibility to be part of it.

“Having seen Cheung race both on the road and most recently at the track worlds, I have been really impressed his performances and there is great potential for him.”

Bannan is confident King-Lok will benefit from ORICA-GreenEDGE’s development program that has seen the likes of Caleb Ewan, Simon and Adam Yates and Esteban Chaves grow into strong riders among the professional peloton.

“Our approach with young riders turning professional has always been to have them develop under our best possible guidance to make sure they learn things the right way without losing sight of who they are and this will certainly also be the case for Cheung,” Bannan said.

“We are all looking forward to welcoming him on the team and to see him race in the ORICA-GreenEDGE colours.”

Cheung King-Lok
Date of birth: 8th February 1981 (25)
Nationality: Hong Kong
Turned pro: 2016