The news from China of an agreement between the owners of the Lampre-Merida cycling team and TJ Sport Consultation confirms that the first-ever Chinese WorldTour team is set to be established for 2017. The team will have investment from China combined with the know-how and experience of the CGS Cycling company that manages the current Lampre-Merida team.
Details concerning the agreement are scarse, with information in an official statement vague and the consequences of the agreement still to be fully understood. One thing is certain: the arrival of the Chinese investment means there will not be an Italian team in the 2017 WorldTour.
The Chinese team’s title sponsor has yet to be revealed but is expected to come from China as the country looks to invest in and programme the long term development of Chinese riders, the Chinese cycling industry and even cycling as a means of transport in China. After Team Sky was created to boost cycling in Great Britain and Katusha was created to nurture Russian riders, China has put plans in place to boost its presence in the sport at the highest level. According to inrng.com, Li Zhiqiang, the chairman of TJ Sport Consultation, is a real estate mogul from Tianjin and 302nd on Forbes’ China rich list.
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There are conflicting reports on who will be on the Chinese team’s 2017 roster, the name of the team’s bike sponsor and other sponsors. Merida has already been confirmed as a key partner of the new Bahrain team. Colnago and Fuji have been linked to the Chinese team as possible bike sponsor but none have confirmed their arrival. The bike sponsor is likely to emerge during next week’s Eurobike show in Germany. It seems that the team clothing will be produced by the Hong kong-based Champion System brand that has been involved in the deal between CGS Cycling and TJ Sport Consultation.
The Lampre team has been backed for many years by the Galbusera family that own the Lampre company. Their laminated metal business did not need the visibility offered by the team but the family bankrolled the team for their passion for cycling, often attending the biggest races on the calendar. Their involvement in professional cycling and the team has still to be confirmed. They could stay as a sponsor or step down to Continental level. However, it seems certain the iconic blue-fuchsia colors will disappear from the professional peloton.
How a major Chinese team affects the current peloton
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