Israel - Premier Tech have continued to bolster their ranks ready for the upcoming 2024 season by bringing in the German duo of
Pascal Ackermann and
Michael Schwarzmann from
UAE Team Emirates and
Lotto Dstny respectively.
“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," Israel - Premier Tech's general manager Kjell Carlström tells the team's official website. "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."
The pair previously worked together during their time at BORA - hansgrohe and Carlstrom is hoping they will be able to reunite and reconnect well once they start racing together in the new season. "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," he concludes.
“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," says Ackermann. "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."