The Linda McCartney Foods Cycling Team have snapped up a new recruit on a trial period. Mirko Puglioli joins the British squad for their late summer-autumn campaign across Europe.

Mirko has two year's experience with the Italian Amore e Vita team, where he rode with new McCartney teammate Maurizio de Pasquale. Following the break-up of that squad, he was picked up by team manager Sean Yates to bolster the side for their attack on the bigger races coming up in August and September.

"Mirko has ridden a good few of the big Italian races we'll be tackling over the next couple of months, and has a pretty good record," said Sean Yates. "With a number of our guys going to the Olympics, it's important to make sure we'll have enough strength in depth to cover their absence."

The 26-year old from Pisa came 6th overall in the recent Circuit des Mines, and also had two wins last season. He was 20th in the Prutour of Britain, and a good 5th in last year's edition of what will be one of his first races in the yellow and blue jersey, the Coppa Agostoni.

"Riders of this pedigree don't come on to the market very often at this stage of the season, so I'm very pleased to welcome him aboard," said Sean.

Mirko's first appearance with the rest of the team will be at their first Italian appointment in August, Tre Valle Varesine, on the 16th of August.