Valladolid’s Iván Romeo (Valladolid, 18 years old), Spanish youth champion on the road and time trial, will jump to professionalism in 2022 in the ranks of Hagens Berman Axeon, team led by Axel Merckx, where he will try to demonstrate the conditions that stand out together with Juan Ayuso and Carlos Rodríguez as one of the highest hopes of Spanish cycling.
“My representative proposed the option of this team to me and I decided to accept the offer. In Spain there are teams, but I decided to go there because I think it is the appropriate formation. to develop young talents. It’s a good choice, “Iván Romeo told EFE.
Romeo is one of the examples of youth cyclists who go directly to the professional field, without stopping in the sub’23 category. He started playing basketball at school and at the age of 8 he did triathlon with his brother. “In the race we were going badly, but we were going back by bike, remember.
Then he signed up at school Club Ciclista Arroyo de la Encomienda, the school of ex-professional Juan Carlos Domínguez and at the age of 10 he only rode a bike and the first victories came.
The rest came from the family. “My father was very fond of cycling and on vacation we would go to see the Tour on the roads and ports of France. In youth I took it more seriously. Later I was trained in the MMR of Asturias, directed by the Olympic champion in Beijing’08 Samuel Sánchez.
At the age of 18, Romeo was proclaimed champion of Spain against the clock and on the road. With the covid he had a strange year and in 2021 it did not start well. He finished second in high school, had 2 falls, then he did very well, triumphs in Cantabria and the Basque Country and a double national title.
“In these times, jumping from youth to professionals is the trend. I don’t know if in the end we are going to have to consider it, to see what happens when we are 30 or 35 years old, But that’s what there is”.
Romeo will race in the team led by Axel Merckx, the son of the mythical Eddy, and his calendar will focus mainly on Belgian and Dutch events.
“I know Axel, I have spoken with him and he seems nice. The idea is to race in Belgium, Holland and Portugal, and the Spanish championships.
“Joining this team means a lot to me. It has always been a great structure, with good riders and a good squad. I will do my best., contributing in any way. Now, the first thing is to adapt to the professional field, learning from my colleagues. Of course I would like to achieve great results, I will try, but I know it will be difficult. I want to gain experience and move “in the right direction.”, He explains.
Romeo does not forget that Cyclists such as the Portuguese Joao Almeida or the British winner of the 2020 Giro Tao Geoghegan have passed through the Hagens Berman Axeon.
“That tells me that I am in the right place, looking for my development, and gain experience. He has a good team philosophy and that encourages. I want to keep improving. “
Valverde and Ayusdo, references
Romeo is still not clear if he is more a time trialist than a climber, It is an unknown that only time will clear.
“You have to see that, so young it is difficult to say, you have to wait. I defend myself in the chronos and in the mountains we will see how I go. I would like to see myself in the great tours. “What Iván Romeo is clear about is his admiration for Alejandro Valverde and his commitment to the future of Spanish cycling, a sector in which two great hopes, Juan Ayuso and Carlos Rodríguez, already pass.
“I have been very Valverde since I was little, he is a reference, let’s see if I can race with him.”
About Ayuso above all, he emphasizes that “he is a good friend and a more short-term reference”.
“I’ve been running with him for a while. He has a very good way of doing things, he’s a crack, he has an enormous talent, it has an incredible projection. Besides, he likes what he does, that’s what we’re alike. “
Regarding the future of Spanish cycling, Romeo believes that “there is a good generation” that invites optimism.
“You have to look at the future with optimism, tWe have runners like Carlos Rodríguez, Juan Ayuso, Javier Romo, Raúl García Pierna, Oier Lazkano or Marc Brusnemos. Do not be in a hurry, there are good runners. “
At the moment, Axel Merckx, team leader Hagens Berman Axeon, is enthusiastic about the signing of the Spanish cyclist for the 2022 season.
“Iván is a very promising cyclist, the first Spaniard that we have in our team. His two national championships this year show that he is capable of doing anything. It has great potential and a great future. I hope he can become a super athlete. We are very happy to have him. “Words from Axel, the son of the great Eddy.