Axel Merckx - "Between the ages of 18 and 22, a cyclist’s career is decided"

In a cycling world increasingly dominated by data, physiological measurements, and performance analysis, Axel Merckx continues to argue that the foundations of the sport remain surprisingly simple.

During his team’s pre-season training camp in Italy, the Belgian spoke about developing young cyclists, the evolution of modern cycling, and the principles guiding his work as head of Hagens Berman Jayco, the development team of Team Jayco AlUla.

The son of legendary Eddy Merckx, Axel built a solid career in the international peloton, highlighted by a stage victory at the Giro d’Italia and competitive appearances in the Classics and the Grand Tours.

After retiring as a rider, he chose to dedicate himself to developing young talent, a path that led him to discover and mentor cyclists who later became leading figures in world cycling such as João Almeida, Jasper Philipsen, Tao Geoghegan Hart, among many others.

Today, his under-23 team is considered one of the most effective structures for developing young riders. More than immediate results, Merckx believes the real work lies in the overall development of the athlete.

“For me, the sporting side is very important, but the human side is even more important,” he explained to Cyclingpro.net. “Between the ages of 18 and 22 there is a decisive moment in a cyclist’s career. That’s when he decides whether he truly wants to become a professional cyclist and whether he is ready for the lifestyle it requires.”

That philosophy also explains the choice of Italy for the team’s preparation camp. The former rider knows the country well, as it was also a training base during his professional career.

“I came here many times as a cyclist and I always felt good,” he recalls. “When we started the under-23 team, we returned to Europe and decided to hold training camps here again. There’s a very family-like atmosphere, the roads are excellent, and we usually have good weather conditions.”

Merckx also adds that the region’s moderate climate offers a strategic advantage at the start of the season.

“At the beginning of the year it’s actually positive that it isn’t too hot. Later, when the riders return north for the Classics, where it’s colder, the change in temperature isn’t as drastic. And besides that, you eat well here, you sleep well, and you train well.”

Over more than fifteen years working with young riders, the Belgian has witnessed a significant transformation in the way athletes arrive in the professional peloton. According to Merckx, that evolution begins in the junior ranks.

“In the last five years, the junior category has practically reached the level the under-23 category had ten years ago,” he explains. “Young riders arrive far more prepared, more structured, and with a very strong physical base already in place.”

That development is also reflected in the structure of development teams. When he launched the project, the reality was very different from what it is today.

“When we started there were no nutritionists, cooks or dedicated coaches. There was the sports director, a soigneur, a mechanic and the riders,” he recalls. “Today there is a whole team working around performance and athlete development.”

Despite this increasing professionalisation, Merckx tries to maintain a balance between science and humanity within the team.

“The approach has become much more scientific, that’s inevitable,” he acknowledges. “But we always try to preserve a human atmosphere within the team. At the end of the day we are working with people, not just with numbers.”

The partnership with Team Jayco AlUla, established to strengthen the connection between the under-23 team and the WorldTour, has also helped raise the level of the structure.

“Right from the beginning we gained access to a nutritionist and strengthened partnerships with sponsors such as Giant,” he explains. “In addition, Jayco helps us with travel to races and additional training camps, including altitude camps whenever possible.”

For Merckx, this collaboration has been beneficial for both sides, especially because his team already had extensive experience in developing young riders.

“Nowadays almost every WorldTour team needs an associated under-23 team. It’s not easy to start from scratch. For Jayco it was positive to find a structure with experience, and for us it was also an opportunity to grow.”

Despite all the technological and scientific changes in modern cycling, the Belgian insists that the foundation of the sport remains almost the same as in his father’s era.

“Cycling has changed a lot and become much more scientific,” he admits. “But the basics are still the same: sleep well, eat well and train well.”

According to Merckx, these three elements remain the cornerstone of success in professional cycling.

“If you do those three things correctly, you already have about 90% of what it takes to be a good cyclist,” he says. “Then, when you move up a level, you try to find that extra one or two percent through equipment, altitude training or other details.”

When it comes to managing the team, the sports director prefers to avoid a rigid hierarchy among riders.

“We don’t work with fixed leaders,” he explains. “We are a team of 13 riders, and that means 13 opportunities.”

Naturally, some athletes have more experience or results, but Merckx prefers to assess each race individually.

“In certain races we might back one rider more, but I like to give everyone the opportunity to fight for a result when they line up at the start.”

Among the riders in the squad are also three Italians: Riccardo Colombo, Giacomo Serangeli and Mattia Sambinello.

“Mattia was already with us last year and he improved a lot,” Merckx explains. “In his first year he suffered a crash, but afterwards he became much faster.”

As for the two new Italian riders, the team manager prefers to adopt a cautious approach.

“Riccardo and Giacomo were very strong as juniors and have a lot of potential,” he says. “Now they need time to adapt to the under-23 category. The talent is there, but they need to work and we’ll see how they develop race after race.”

When asked about the main goals for the season, Merckx does not hesitate to highlight one race in particular.

“For me and for the team, the Giro d’Italia Under-23 has always been a very special race,” he reveals.

The team has already achieved important results in this event, including overall victory in 2022 with Leo Hayter.

“Last year we also won a stage, so we want to fight again for a big result,” he says. “It’s a fantastic race and we hope to be ready at the start and achieve something important for the team and for the future of our riders.”

For Axel Merckx, in a cycling world that is becoming ever more complex and technological, the mission remains relatively simple: help young riders become better athletes, without forgetting that success always starts with the basics.