Hagens Berman Jayco is thrilled to announce the signing of Jed Smithson, a talented young British rider, for the 2026 season. Smithson joins the team after two strong years of development racing in Europe, where he’s earned a reputation for his speed, consistency, and versatility.
The 20-year-old Brit has enjoyed standout performances across the U23 peloton, including 2nd in Stage 5 at the 2025 Tour of Bretagne, 2nd in Stage 1 at the Orléans Nations Cup, and 4th at the Youngster Coast Challenge. Earlier in the season, he also celebrated his first U23 victory with a powerful sprint win at the Tour of South Bohemia, showing the kind of finishing strength and tactical intelligence that make him a major addition to the Hagens Berman Jayco roster.
“The history of Hagens Berman Jayco in developing riders into world-class professionals is truly inspiring, and it feels very special to be given the chance to join a team with such a strong legacy of success,” said Smithson. “When I spoke with Axel Merckx, I immediately felt his energy and confidence, as well as a genuine sense that everyone within the team wants the best for each other. That makes me extremely excited to wear the Hagens Berman Jayco colours in the upcoming season and beyond. Over the past two years I’ve grown a lot, both as a rider and as a person, and with the support from Hagens Berman Jayco I’m looking forward to building on that progress and testing myself at a higher level.”
Team owner Axel Merckx praised both Smithson’s talent and mindset:
“Jed has already proven he can perform in a wide range of races, from technical sprints to hard one-day events. What impressed us most was his maturity and drive to improve. He has the engine and attitude to go far, and we’re excited to help him take that next step within our development pathway.”
