Soudal Quick-Step is proud to announce that it is to join forces with Hagens Berman Axeon, bringing together two organisations with the common goal of developing young talent and creating the best possible pathway to the highest level of professional cycling.
The collaboration marks the coming together of two programmes that have shaped the careers of some of the sport’s biggest names, but its origins stretch back much further than today’s announcement.
Long before they became leaders of two of cycling’s most respected teams, Soudal Quick-Step CEO Jurgen Foré and Hagens Berman Axeon owner Axel Merckx were teammates at ASLK-CGER Eddy Merckx Vrienden, one of the first true development teams in professional cycling. Those early experiences helped shape both men’s belief that young riders thrive when they are given time, guidance and the right environment to grow. Decades later, that shared philosophy has become the foundation of a partnership designed to help the next generation follow the same path.
Under the agreement, Hagens Berman Axeon will join forces with Soudal Quick-Step Development, creating an even clearer progression for talented young riders towards the WorldTour. Riders will benefit from a close integration with the Wolfpack’s performance programme, while coaches and staff from both organisations will work as one, across areas including coaching, sports science, testing and rider development.
The agreement also secures the long-term future of Hagens Berman commitment to rider development. The firm will continue as a major sponsor of the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team, ensuring continuity for one of cycling’s most respected development programmes.
The partnership strengthens Soudal Quick-Step’s existing development ecosystem, complementing the work already carried out through the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team, and the team’s relationships with feeder teams across Europe, helping promising young riders in every age group to take important steps towards becoming a professional cyclist.
The connection between the organisations is already reflected in the careers of several current Soudal Quick-Step riders. Our own Jasper Stuyven developed under Axel Merckx before progressing to the WorldTour, and is amongst many riders whose careers demonstrate the value of a structured and supportive development pathway.
Speaking about the partnership, Jurgen Foré said: “When Axel and I were riding together as teenagers, we could never have imagined that one day we would be leading teams with such a shared vision. Looking back now, those years taught us just how important the right environment is for young riders.”
This partnership is about creating opportunities.
- Soudal Quick-Step CEO Jurgen Foré -
“We want talented riders to develop step by step, supported by people who understand both the sporting and personal challenges of becoming a professional cyclist. Both Hagens Berman Axeon and the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team have built outstanding reputations for developing young cyclists as athletes and as personalities, and together we can offer an even stronger pathway to the WorldTour.”
Similarly, Axel Merckx added: “Jurgen and I have known each other since we were young riders, so this partnership feels very natural. We’ve both experienced the importance of strong development programmes and we’ve both dedicated our careers to helping the next generation. Joining forces with Soudal Quick-Step allows us to build on everything we've created over the past two decades while giving our riders access to one of the best performance environments in professional cycling.”
We’re excited about what we can achieve together.
- Hagens Berman Axeon owner Axel Merckx -
And Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman, said: “We are proud that Hagens Berman’s long-term support of this program has brought us to today’s announcement, a natural next step to take rider development into the future. I have always believed in creating a pathway for young riders to break into the sport, and watching this pipeline turn prospects into WorldTour pros for over a decade is proof positive.”
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel
©Joe Cotterill
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