THE WORLD TOUR'S TALENT FACTORY

Development squad Hagens Berman Axeon continue to thrive where others flounder. What's the secret of their success?

- Chris Marshall-Bell

Tao Geoghegan Hart, like most professional cyclists, did not go to university. But he had every bit the same experience (textbooks and exams aside) as someone who did. "My partner went to uni, and when we have conversations about it, I see the parallels between what we both did," he says. "I haven't done the studying part, but I too was around like-minded individuals from a variety of cultures that allowed me to develop, patiently, into who I am today. I look back on it as an enjoyable, really fundamental, and formative part of my life."

The Londoner is talking about his three years at male cycling's equivalent to Oxford or Harvard: the U23 development team currently known as Hagens Berman Axeon. Axel Merckx, its co-founder, and director, nods in agreement. "I always say we're a bit like college in the US," he proclaims.

"The alumni always say that they came from this or that university. That's basically what we are in the cycling world: I have more than 100 guys who have been on the team, and it's impossible to keep up with all of them, but I am their biggest fan regardless and they all talk fondly of us. We're trying to be the benchmark university, if you like."