Israel – Premier Tech’s roster will be bolstered by the arrival of Pascal Ackermann and Michael Schwarzmann in 2024, with the German duo set to bring their sprinting prowess and a wealth of experience to the team.
Previously teammates for five years from 2017 to 2021, Ackermann and Schwarzmann will reunite in IPT colors in a move that will add depth to the team’s roster says IPT General Manager Kjell Carlström.
“Our 2024 rider roster is taking great shape and we are excited to welcome a number of young riders to the team. At the same time, we wanted to bring on an experienced and proven winner to strengthen our sprint group and we believe Pascal Ackermann will be a perfect fit. Pascal has 40 wins to his name, an impressive achievement since turning professional seven years ago and he showed with his Giro d’Italia stage win this year that he is one of the fastest sprinters in the peloton. Every sprinter needs their trusted captain out on the road and in signing Michael Schwarzmann, we are welcoming an experienced lead out rider who will play an important role for Pascal and our other sprinters,” explains Carlström.
With stage wins at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España to his name, Ackermann is excited for the next two years with IPT and chasing a maiden Tour de France victory with IPT.
“I was looking for a team that is focused on development and working with young riders, where I can bring my experience and also benefit from a good lead out structure. I think it’s really important to be working with young riders because they are so motivated and strong, and you could see in the races this year that Israel – Premier Tech is already doing that and has one of the best lead outs, so I am really happy to join the team. I have won a lot of races and a lot of big races, but the Tour de France is still the one that is missing. I have never raced the Tour and it is one of my biggest dreams, so I think IPT is the perfect team to race with and get my first Tour de France win,” says Ackermann.
“When I turned pro, Michael Schwarzmann was the guy who taught me how to be a pro cyclist and showed me how to save power, and beyond that we are friends. When I decided to come to Israel – Premier Tech, I wanted to bring him with me as I know he is one of the most experienced guys in cycling, he knows exactly what he needs to do, how to ride, when to move up, and he can teach the young riders so much. He will be one of the most important guys for me next year, and also with a rider like Rick Zabel who you can see is doing the best lead outs. I hope together we will get some nice victories.”
Schwarzmann, who joins IPT on a one-year deal, is looking forward to contributing to the team’s success and helping to foster the team’s spirit.
“I was really impressed by everything team management presented to me, from material, training, race program and the direction the team wants to go in. The fact that Pascal will be the main sprinter I will work with was a big factor in my decision to come to IPT. I think he saw in the past years that you need a loyal and good working team around him, and there I think I can help him during the races and also in the lead outs. To create a good team spirit and share my experience with the rest of the team is also an important point for me. I believe in this project, and I think all together we can create something big. My personal goal for the next years will be to develop as a rider. I want to be a reliable and loyal rider for the team to get the most out of it and win races,” adds Schwarzmann.
Having already signed young sprint sensation Ethan Vernon, and graduated Riley Pickrell, Nadav Raisberg, and Oded Kogut from IPT Academy, IPT owner Sylvan Adams is confident in the team’s direction for 2024 and beyond.
“Pascal Ackerman is one of the top sprinters in the sport, and I’m excited to welcome him to our team. To ensure his success at IPT, we additionally reached out to sign his trusted compatriot, Michael Schwarzmann, to join our lead-out train for Pascal. With these two riders, we have significantly improved our roster for 2024, and I am confident of great results next year,” says Sylvan Adams.
