SEATTLE – Cycling’s monumental race, the 2020 Giro d’Italia, is currently led by João Almeida, a rider who developed last year as a member of Hagens Berman’s sponsored UCI Continental cycling team, Hagens Berman Axeon.

“Seeing our team develop world-class cycling champions is downright thrilling. This is why we do what we do,” said Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman and sponsor of Axeon Hagens Berman.

Hagens Berman Axeon’s former rider Almeida pushed through a rigorous a tiebreaker with another rider, putting Almeida into the race lead due to a 0.28-second difference from the opening stage’s time trial. Almeida was a member of Hagens Berman Axeon for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. “While only two years, his progression was nothing less than remarkable,” the team’s release stated.

“Our sponsored team has now seen 36 of its riders graduate to the World Tour,” Berman said. “That means we’re doing something right, and we’re excited to be a part of what keeps cycling alive around the world.”

In 2019, the 21-year-old became a double U23 National Champion after winning both the road race and time trial. At the 2019 Amgen Tour of California, Almeida was third in the youth classification. At the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, he won the youth classification by over ten minutes and finished just off the podium in the overall classification.

Berman’s cycling passion is a long-fueled love. He’s been a sponsor of the sport for years, driven by his own hobby cultivated over decades of riding, from his office commute in the Seattle metro area, to hopping on the bike while traveling in Italy.

Hagens Berman threw its support behind the team for the 2016 season, expanding one of the world's leading cycling development programs. By helping fund developmental U-23 teams, the firm creates life-changing opportunities through the team’s training and fostering of young talent into the big leagues. Hagens Berman strives to provide young riders with opportunities and experiences that can change their lives forever and build the skills to succeed both on and off the bike. Read more about Hagens Berman Axeon.

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About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with 10 offices globally. Hagens Berman UK LLP is headquartered in London. The firm’s tenacious drive for plaintiffs’ rights has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of “Most Feared Plaintiff’s Firm,” and MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

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