The 2016 Axeon-Hagens Berman held a training camp in January in Agoura Hills, California.
Founded in 2009 by Axel Merckx, the Continental squad Axeon Hagens Berman has the goal of developing young talent into professional riders.
With the backing of an international racing program, the team supports talented young cyclists in their journey toward becoming top athletes and role models.
The program has advanced 18 riders to the WorldTour ranks, including Giro d’Italia stage winner Taylor Phinney, past U.S. national road champion Ben King, two-time Amgen Tour of California “best young rider” Lawson Craddock, 2015 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah winner Joe Dombrowski, and 2009 junior world road champion Jasper Stuyven.
The 2016 Axeon Hagens Berman roster
Will Barta (USA)
Jonny Brown (USA)
Adrien Costa (USA)
Geoffrey Curran (USA)
Greg Daniel (USA)
Eddie Dunbar (Ireland)
Tao Geoghegan Hart (Great Britain)
Ruben Guerreiro (Portugal)
Colin Joyce (USA)
Krists Neilands (Latvia)
Phil O’Donnell (USA)
Just Oien (USA)
Logan Owen (USA)
Neilson Powless (USA)
Tyler Williams (USA)
Chad Young (USA)
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- Owner/Director Axel Merckx (left) occasionally joined the team on its training rides. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Jonny Brown (center) is following in the footsteps of his older brother, Nathan, who now rides for Cannondale. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- California Giant Berry, Specialized and Hagens Berman are new sponsors for the Axeon program for 2016. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Many of the Axeon Hagens Berman training rides traversed the Santa Monica Mountains. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Greg Daniel gives his Specialized saddle a break on the way down Mullholland Drive. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Since the team’s inception in 2009, Axel Merckx’s program has advanced 18 riders on to the WorldTour ranks. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Of the team’s 16 riders for 2016, eight are newcomers. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Tao Geoghegan Hart is back for his third year with the team after riding as a stagiaire for Team Sky last fall. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Following a classroom session on cornering techniques, the team put the instruction to practice on a high-speed descent near Malibu. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Mechanic Tre Wideman made sure the team’s ZIPP wheels were ready to roll before a training ride. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Tyler Williams is a newcomer to the Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team after two years with the BMC Development Team. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Eddie Dunbar’s helmet reflects his status as the reigning Under 23 national Irish road champion. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- The team put its Specialized S-Works Tarmacs to the test with tight cornering drills in an empty school courtyard. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- After four hours in the saddle, Colin Joyce was ready for a massage. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- The Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team hopes to be back in California in May for the Amgen Tour of California, a race it has competed in the past three years. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Tao Geoghegan Hart, pictured while with the Axeon Hagens Berman team.
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- Mornings began with in-room stretching, followed by yoga sessions at a nearby lululemon athletic store. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Adrian Costa and his Oakleys weathered the elements during a rain-soaked training ride. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- About the only thing that was still dry on Greg Daniel after this training ride was his jersey beneath his Alé rain jacket. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Irish Under 23 national road champion Eddie Dunbar wears a ring from his father who passed away six years ago. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Chief mechanic Eric Fostvedt is one of several veteran staffers for the Axeon Hagen Bermans Cycling Team. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- Jonny Brown (left) and Chad Young kick back before dinner. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- One of the team’s longest training rides lasted more than five hours. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
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- After a long ride through the rain, a sprinkler head helps a wet pair of Nielson Powless’s Specialized shoes get dry faster. (Photo by Davey Wilson.)
