It's a bit as if Pantani and Simoni found themselves on the same team. Maybe it was the only way to get them to stop pulling each other's hair. And the same goes for Emil Herzog and Antonio Morgado. The two strongest juniors of the season (without forgetting Vlad Van Mechelen) will find themselves side by side in the Hagen's Berman Axeon di Axel Merckx. The team we got to know so well this year at the Under 23 Giro.
In fact, both are moving up a category and both do not intend to limit their ambitions. But certainly if they gave it to each other during the race, as was also the case at Wollongong, they will have to find a way to join hands more often, as they always did in Wollongong but after the arrival. Instead, they will have to lend a hand in the race.
Axel's work
It is for sure a great challenge for Axel, but the Belgian sporting director showed great “savoir faire” with his boys. Always calm, always quiet, we were able to admire him live as he behaved at the start and finish of the stages of the U23 Tour. Some rumours give Merckx as team manager of the new Lotto Soudal, which will be called Lotto-Dstny. But for now, these are just rumors. So let's focus on what's concrete.
But how can they help each other? Merckx probably already has an idea and that is to exploit, or rather enhance, their characteristics.
The Portuguese is more explosive and climber (which might seem like a contradiction when put like that), the German is more of a long-distance climber and more resistant.
And it was also evident at the World Championships. Morgado exploded on the climbs, Herzog caught up with him on the descents. Both are truly complete athletes and appear ready for the jump to the under-23s.
Magari With the two of them in the team, Merckx will be able to ride as a protagonist in the Giro U23 or in other stage races compared to how he did this year, when that role was in the hands of the Groupama-Fdj. Nevertheless he took home the pink jersey with Leo Hayter.
About Emil
Put on paper, the work with Emil Herzog it might seem easier, if only because of environmental affinities: climatic and, strictly speaking, cultural between the German and Belgian worlds of the sporting director. But in theory this isn't a problem, given that historically this team has featured athletes of many different nationalities.
«Emil – said Axel – is one of the best junior riders around. I think he had one of the best junior years ever. and we can't be anything but thrilled to have him with us.
«I spoke well with Emil: He understood that we can help him progress And this awareness is very important. It's a great hope for the future and for what is possible."
About Morgado
Then there is Antonio MorgadoThe Portuguese is the national champion. His profile is very similar to that of another Portuguese player we've known well for a few years: Joao Almeida. It's not the first time Axel and his crew have gone fishing in those parts. In fact...
«Antonio has achieved great results both nationally and internationally. He is very aggressive when he runs (and Lunigiana teaches, ed.) and his results prove it. We can't wait to help him take the next step in the international under-23 calendar."
So for both of them, there's nothing left to do but start working, but how? Or rather, how much? The only unknown factor is how much Axel, and his colleague, the former pro... Koos Moerenhout, it's time.
Indeed it seems that Morgado already has a contract in hand with the UAE Emirates for 2024 and that Ralph Denk , the team manager of Bora Hansgrohe, wants his athlete back as soon as possible. We write "wants" because Auto Eder, Herzog's junior team, is Bora's youth team.
