Axel Merckx's Hagens Berman Axiom Development team has named its 2020 roster with the addition of New Zealand native James Fouchet.

The 21-year-old from Christchurch is the 2019 New Zealand Elite Road National Champion, U23 National Road Champion, and U23 National Time Trial Champion.

"I've known about Hagens Berman Aktion since I started riding," Fouchet said in a statement released by the team. 'I would love to be one myself, and I believe with the help of the amazing staff that surrounds the team, we can make it happen.' There are wonderful and exciting times ahead."

Fouchet, who will be on Team Wiggins in 2018 and 2019 and was a stager for Mitchelton Scott at the end of last season, finished fifth overall at A Travers Les Eaux-de-France, fifth at Clasica da Arrabida, and sixth at Gent Wevelgem Cattecoors and 6th in Ghent-Wevelgem-Kattekoers. But it is his climbing ability that impresses most. He has won mountain prizes in three 2.2 classics: Tour de Antalya, Volta ao Alentejo, and Le Triptyque des Mont et Chateaux (2.2U).

Despite his climbing ability, Fouchet believes that hard classics like Paris-Roubaix, Ghent-Wevelgem, and Tour de Flanders suit him; in 2020 he hopes to improve his acceleration and ability to finish races.

"At the end of a hard day, I think it will help me to get some results from a small group," he said.

Fouché is the fifth and final player to join the 2020 Axeon roster after the U23 team signed Jens Reynders, Jarrad Drizners, Michael Garrison, and Pedro Andrade.

Riders returning from the 2019 roster include Edward Anderson, Andres de Carvalho Cole Davis, Jacob Egholm, Liam Holowesko, Sean Quinn, and Kevin Felmerke.

Riders graduating from the program after 2019 include Mikkel Bjarg to UAE Team Emirates, Ian Garrison and Joan Almeida to Deceuninck-QuickStep, Michael Rice to ARA Pro Racing, Michael Zaillard to SEG Racing, Karel Vacek to Colpack-Ballan, Johnny Brown, Zeke Mostov, and Thomas Levard.

Pedro Andrade Edward Anderson Andres de Carvalho Cole Davis Jarrad Drizners Jacob Egholm James Fouche Michael Garrison Liam Holowesko Sean Quinn Jens Reijnders Kevin Fermerke [19].