Date: 10 February 2025
In 2024, the Hagens Berman Jayco Cycling Team added a second American rider, the 2023 US Junior Road Race Champion, Darren Parham. Darren joined the Axeon squad from the Hot Tubes Development Cycling Team.
“Joining Hagens Berman Jayco is an honor to me,” said Darren. “Since I started racing about three years ago, I’ve always had my sights set on riding for Hagens Berman Jayco. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity given to me by Axel and Koos alongside the rest of the staff and look forward to this upcoming season with our team.”
Darren’s Palmares:
2023 US Junior Road Race Championships - 1st place
Looking back on his first season with the team, the 19-year-old Yucaipa, CA offered, “the highlight of the year, for myself, would be the Tour Alsace,” said Darren. “I had a not so ideal start to the year and quite honestly got tossed around by the level we were racing at. It was really nice to come to Alsace, regrouped and refocused, to race with the guys on a much better and more competitive level. Thinking back, I learned that there are no shortcuts in reaching the level of competitiveness in this category. I know it sounds cliche but, I don't believe I fully comprehended the level until I was thrown into it. I learned what it takes just to survive in these races. I am looking forward to learning how I can be competitive in these races and not just survive. I hope to learn more about myself physically, by increasing my level, and learn more about myself dynamically as a racer.”
“Darren is young and very green, but shows a lot of commitment and desire to learn and improve himself,” said team owner and director Axel Merckx. “We will have to see how he will adjust to the U23 category, but he has the right mindset.”
