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 TestTeam," 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.