Besides his clear ambitions and palmarès on the track, 22-year old
Ethan Vernon has already impressed on the road and he now moves away from
Soudal - Quick-Step to link up with
Israel - Premier Tech for a chance at leadership and a long-term contract.
“Having spent the last two seasons racing against the best riders, it has highlighted my strengths and areas I need to work on," Vernon said in a press release issued by the Israeli team. "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.”
The Soudal - Quick-Step sprinter turned pro in 2022 only, but in these two years with the Belgian team he confirmed his potential as an under-23 sprinter. He's taken stage wins at the Volta a Catalunya, Tour de Romandie, among his 7 pro wins. He was Quick-Step's third sprinter on the line, however he and Fabio Jakobsen are leaving the team at the end of the season as they look to free spots and budget to sign supporting riders for Remco Evenepoel.
Israel is looking to rebuild itself with younger riders and changing their sprinter setup and the move from Vernon seems to benefit both sides. “I’m extremely happy to welcome Ethan to our team. Ethan is a talented and versatile rider who can both climb and sprint," team owner Sylvan Adams said. "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.”