Israel – Premier Tech is excited to welcome newly crowned Elimination World Champion Ethan Vernon to the team on a three-year deal which will see Vernon in IPT colors through to 2026.
At just 22-years-old with multiple track World Championships to his name and an impressive road racing palmarès to date, Vernon will bolster the team’s sprint roster and continue his development as a road racer over the next three years.
“I’m extremely happy to welcome Ethan to our team,” says IPT owner Sylvan Adams. “Ethan is a talented and versatile rider who can both climb and sprint. He will also strengthen our classics team. I have no doubt that he will fit in well with the other young talents that are emerging on Israel – Premier Tech.”
The feeling is mutual with Vernon looking forward to joining IPT and achieving more success on the road.
“I’m really enthused about the team’s ethos and ambitions. I am excited about being part of the success story and a new project. Everyone I have spoken to shares the same values and their attention to the small details are really impressive and with this I truly believe that, both myself as an individual and IPT as a team will enjoy many years of success,” adds Vernon.
The 22-year-old British rider started out as a BMX rider before making a name for himself as a track cyclist in his teenage years and while continuing to dominate on the track, Vernon has proved his versatility since making his road racing debut just four years ago.
Since turning pro in 2022, Vernon has already made his mark in the peloton with seven wins, including WorldTour victories at Tour de Romandie and Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, and his rapid rise to the top suggests that this is just the beginning.
“My first years as a pro have been awesome. They have given me a wealth of experience and taught me the importance of teamwork, which turned into seven successful stage wins, personal achievements and goals. Learning from, and living and riding with experienced riders has helped me adjust to life in the pro peloton. I still have a lot to learn so hopefully the more experienced guys at IPT can help me with this so I can continue to develop as a rider and team player,” explains Vernon.
“Having spent the last two seasons racing against the best riders, it has highlighted my strengths and areas I need to work on. My aim is to become one of the top sprinters in the world and also be able to separate myself from other pure sprinters on hilly and mountainous races / stages. I am confident I can achieve this with the support of the IPT team.”
Vernon’s signing is in line with IPT’s vision of investing in young talent and in 2024, he will be joined by fellow track riders Riley Pickrell and Oded Kogut who will step up from IPT Academy, says IPT General Manager Kjell Carlström.
“We’re delighted to strengthen our sprint and classics group with Ethan who has shown his capability on multiple occasions already. This is also very much aligned with our strategy for the future where we continue to bring talents to our team, either through organic growth or through our scouting program. We are also invested in supporting Ethan’s track ambitions for Paris 2024, further bolstered by his performance at Glasgow 2023.”
