António Morgado enjoys calm introduction to higher level of pro cycling: "It's a team that doesn't put pressure on the athletes"

This season, António Morgado made the move to the Hagens Berman Axeon continental team following two years as a junior rider. He has been busy over the past three months, with his time primarily devoted to training and more training now that he's joined Hagens Berman Axeon.

In January, he immediately started his training program with Soudal Quick Step and Ineos Grenadiers and then spent the entirety of February training with Axeon in Tuscany. All of his hard work paid off when he emerged victorious in the recent Tour of Rhodes.

He describes what has changed, “I had been working for five years with Professor Amândio from Mira, but I changed after the World Championship. The training sessions are completely different, and I'm still not 100% adapted, but I feel that I'm already adapting better. I work with Kevin Poulton. The bike is also new, I've never ridden really good bikes. it's fantastic. In the time trial I only rode twice and it's beautiful,” he told TopCycling.pt.

He is pleased with how far he has come and satisfied with the performance of his team. “I am really happy. Axeon this year is all stars, quiet and peaceful people. We learned from the athletes and from Axel, who is an incredible person. It's a team that doesn't put pressure on the athletes, of course we try to do things well. I am loving the team,” concluded Morgado.