MICHAEL

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.”