Date: 10 March 2019
The latest in a long line of Australians in the Axeon program, Michael Rice continues to follow in their paths to success as he enters his third year in the program.
He originally punched his ticket for a roster spot by winning a stage of the 2016 Tour de Beauce in Canada - a race that saw Hagens Berman Axeon riders capture two of the six stages as well as the overall.
While Rice has always enjoyed racing in the U.S., where he says there is always good hype around the sport and quality fields, he spent significant time in 2018 racing in Europe. In doing so, Rice had his best year yet. The Aussie earned 4th place stage finishes at Circuit des Ardennes and U23 Giro Ciclistico d’Italia. He also won stage 4 at the 2018 Tour of the Gila in Silver City, New Mexico. But the most impressive feat Rice accomplished was a 7th place finish on the final stage of Tour of California, a UCI WorldTour race.
“Something I am really looking forward to in 2019 is racing the European one days this Spring. Competing in the home of cycling against some of the world’s best is motivating and a result there is a big personal goal for me this year,” said Rice. In racing a mixed calendar between Europe and the USA, I am excited to challenge myself and see a continued growth in my development from 2018.”
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Elk Grove, California - The Hagens Berman Axeon Cycling Team continued its California dream on stage 5 of the Amgen Tour of California with two riders finishing in the top 10. Sean Bennett, fresh off his 2nd place finish on stage 3, finished in 6th place and Ivo Oliveira followed two spots later...
Morgan Hill, California - Hagens Berman Axeon’s Mikkel Bjerg battled a strong field to earn a top 10 finish on stage 4’s individual time trial at the Amgen Tour of California.
The 19-year-old Dane set off on the 34.7 kilometer course with high hopes, initially setting the fastest time of the...
Salinas, California - The Hagens Berman Axeon Cycling Team made its presence felt on Tuesday’s stage 3 at the Tour of California. Sean Bennett dueled with eventual stage-winner Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) in a penultimate move that earned him a 2nd place finish and place on the podium. Ian...
