Japanese road race cyclist Fumiyuki Beppu will join the U.S. Postal cycling team led by six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, cycling officials said Wednesday.
Beppu, a 21-year-old member of the Bridgestone Anchor team, has agreed with the U.S. professional team on a two-year contract.
"I want to step up from the initial phase with the world's best team," Beppu said. "Hopefully I'll make a mark in the next two years so that I'll be able to become a stage winner in the future in major races like the Tour de France."
Beppu drew attention as a top junior cyclist when he was with the Fujisawa Kita high school team in Kanagawa Prefecture. He joined an amateur team in France two years ago.
U.S. Postal will change its name to Discovery Channel next year after a change of sponsorship.