World Championships runner-up Ben Wiggins joins Hagens Berman Axeon for 2024 season

Ben Wiggins will race for Hagens Berman Axeon of team manager Axel Merckx in 2024. The 18-year-old Briton is the son of former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins and recently impressed with a second place at the World Junior Time Trial Championships.

"I have been talking to Axel for a while and have always admired the team," he explains. "I know the history of the team and know many riders who have taken a step through this team. I therefore immediately knew that this would be the right place for me to develop, because I want to try to get into the WorldTour."

The sons of Bradley Wiggins and Eddy Merckx are therefore joining forces. That also influenced Ben Wiggins' choice. "Axel grew up in much the same situation as me because our fathers did great things in sports," he says. "I can't think of anyone better to get advice and guidance from. I can not wait."

"We both have a famous surname and I can help him in everything that comes with it," responds Axel Merckx. "It's not something many people experience, so we have a lot of similarities in that regard."

Wiggins junior can handle time trials, classics and hilly terrain well. "I'm glad he chose us," says Merckx. "We hope that we can contribute to his growth and development as a cyclist. His second place at the World Time Trial World Championships shows how much talent he has, but we also know that there is still a long way to go."