"This team gives me the opportunities I've always hoped for" - Pascal Ackermann happy to have found a place in his new team
Cycling
Pascal Ackermann's career wasn't exactly on the upward trajectory ahead of joining Israel - Premier Tech this winter, but the 30-year-old German is confident there's still some more left in his legs as he prepares to carry his team's ambitions in selected Belgian classics, the Classic Brugge-De Panne, Gent Wevelgem and Scheldeprijs.
"After Paris-Nice, I feel very good. I think I was in good form there and now I'm ready for the upcoming races in Flanders. These are races I have fond memories of," he confides to IDLProCycling. "Of course, there's always room for improvement, but I can't complain about the wattages I'm producing now. Hopefully, those will translate into great results."
Ackermann plans to race fewer classics this year, aiming to excel in the one-day races he will be focusing on. "I will be competing in the Classic Brugge-De Panne, Gent Wevelgem and Scheldeprijs. Those are the races that suit me best. We're trying to race fewer events than usual with me, so I can be in good form for all the races I do participate in."
Does Ackermann consider himself among the top favorites for races like Gent-Wevelgem or Scheldeprijs? Absolutely. "Although I do think that Gent Wevelgem will be challenging. It's one where many world-class classics riders will be lining up," he says, referring to the presence of riders like Mathieu van der Poel. "Last year, I managed to stay in the main group and finished eleventh. That's a memory I hold onto. This team gives me the opportunities I've always hoped for. That's a comforting thought."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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