Team Jayco AlUla and Hagens Berman Axeon likely to partner in 2024

GCN can reveal that Team Jayco AlUla and Hagens Berman Axeon are on the verge of collaborating from the start of 2024.

Team Jayco AlUla are part of both the men’s and women’s UCI WorldTour but have lacked a men’s U23 development team since cuts were made to the project several years ago.

The team has been looking for the right partner for some time, and the US U23 Continental squad, Hagens Berman Axeon, which is run by former pro Axel Merckx, are close to an agreement that would see the teams share elements of sponsorship, and resources. Merckx’s squad would in essence become a development team for Team Jayco AlUla.

GCN contacted Merckx directly with the Belgian only willing to confirm that there had been talks with Jayco AlUla. “We’re working with someone for sure but we’ll make an announcement when we’re ready to make one. We’re finalising a day but it’s not a done deal yet. Something is in the works but I’m not confirming it’s Jayco,” he told GCN.

The plan would ensure that Merckx’s enterprise would not be owned by Team Jayco AlUla, with Merckx retaining control of the project he has managed for well over a decade. According to sources Merckx had been in discussions with another team on a previous occasion but the team wanted to fully own the U23 programme.

An agreement with Team Jayco AlUla would see Merckx remain at the head of the operation. He would manage the riders and schedules for the roster. The official team name of the U23 team has not been decided on but according to one source ‘there is a strong sponsorship between the two teams’ and the squad will have Jayco AlUla as either a first or second sponsor.