By Shane Stokes
Hagens Berman Axeon team owner, Axel Merckx, has given Darren Rafferty a very strong vote of confidence, with the former professional enthusing about the Irishman’s first year with the team in 2022.
“His first year was already exceptional and we are looking forward to have him increase his leadership and to lead by example in his second year,” Merckx told stickybottle in advance of Rafferty’s start to the season in Croatia tomorrow at the Istrian Spring Trophy.
Merckx, who has developed young riders who went on to Grand Tour victory, also spoke of Rafferty's prospects for a WorldTour or ProContinental contract and when that might happen.
“If he can be spared from injuries or illnesses, I think he will have some bigger wins or more wins, stuff like that," the team manager and rider mentor said.
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Merckx, son of cycling’s best-ever rider Eddy Merckx, has a long history of taking young riders and turning them into big professionals. Tayler Phinney and 2020 Giro d’Italia winner Teo Geoghegan Hart are just two of the top names who spent their early years with the team setup, and Merckx’s endorsement reflects Rafferty’s strong potential.
Rafferty dominated the Irish scene as a junior and showed his ability in overseas races such as the Chrono des Nations time trial, where he finished second. Last year, as a first year under 23, he won the prestigious Strade Bianche di Romagna, was sixth in the under 23 European championship time trial and eighth in the Commonwealth Games time trial.
The Hagens Berman Axeon squad is one of the most highly regarded Continental teams and one which is known for developing young talent. Although Rafferty is still just 19 years of age, Merckx said that a WorldTour or Pro Continental contract could come sooner rather than later.
“If he continues his progression and his development, there is probably a big chance that he will be moving up at the end of the year,” he stated. “There is not really an expectation, it’s just a hope for him to move forward and to keep developing the way he has in the first year.
“The first signs at training camp were very encouraging, so the future looks pretty bright for him.”
Rafferty's 2023 campaign will start tomorrow, in Croatia, in the four-stage Istrian Spring Trophy (2.2). He will also ride U23 Gent Wevelgem in Belgium on March 26th before turning his attention to Volta Limburg Classic (1.1) on April 1st, where he will compete against World Tour teams.
