Olympic individual pursuit silver medalist Hayden Roulston of New Zealand capped his stunning return to top-class cycling from a heart condition by signing with the Canadian team Cervelo on Monday.

Roulston, 27, who also won a bronze medal in Beijing as a member of the New
Zealand pursuit team, rode with Cofidis (2003/04) and with Discovery (2005)
until the heart condition known as arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
sidelined him in 2006.

It left him short of breath, pushed his heart rate to dangerous levels, and
put him at risk of dying every time he got on his bike.

He returned to cycling after embracing a Japanese hands-on healing process
known as ‘reiki’.

“I’m very pleased to be a part of the Cervelo Test Team,” said Roulston.

“The goals of the team fit perfectly with my own personal objectives for the
current season. I’m very happy to be a part of this and excited about the
future.”

Cervelo will join the professional peloton in 2009 and have also signed up
Spain’s Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre from CSC and Norwegian Thor
Hushovd from Credit Agricole.