The two Germans rode as team-mates at Bora-Hansgrohe for five years from 2017 to 2021 before parting ways. Ackermann receives a two-year contract, Schwarzmann a one-year contract.
Pascal Ackermann: "I'm still missing the Tour de France"
After several stage wins, including at the Vuelta a Espana and the Giro d'Italia, Pascal Ackermann wants to fulfil his dream of winning a stage at the Tour de France at Israel-Premier Tech: "I've already won many races and many big races, but I'm still missing the Tour de France. I've never ridden in the Tour and that's one of my biggest dreams."
Ackermann is also looking forward to meeting his former team-mate Michael Schwarzmann, with whom he is joining Israel-Premier Tech. "When I turned pro, Michael Schwarzmann was the one who taught me how to be a professional cyclist and how to save energy, and beyond that we are friends," explained the 29-year-old, adding: "He will be one of the most important riders for me next year."
Michael Schwarzmann on the transfer: "I was really impressed by everything"
Michael Schwarzmann wants to contribute to the team's success and promote team spirit as an experienced professional cyclist. "I was really impressed by everything the team management presented to me, the material, the training, the racing programme and the direction the team wants to take," said Schwarzmann, explaining his decision to switch, adding: "Creating a good team spirit and sharing my experience with the rest of the team is also an important point for me. I believe in this project and I think that we can all achieve something great together."
Schwarzmann is also looking forward to the reunion with his friend Ackermann: "The fact that Pascal will be the main sprinter I will be working with was an important factor in my decision to join IPT. I think he has seen in recent years that you need a loyal and well-functioning team around you, and I think I can help him during the races and also with the preparations."
Kjell Carlström, manager at Israel-Premier Tech, emphasises that it was important for him to get Ackermann and Schwarzmann. "Pascal has 40 wins to his name, an impressive achievement since he turned pro seven years ago, and he showed with his stage win at the Giro d'Italia this year that he is one of the fastest sprinters in the peloton. Every sprinter needs a reliable road captain, and in Michael Schwarzmann we have signed an experienced top rider who will play an important role for Pascal and our other sprinters."
Cycling transfers: The most important changes in the live blog
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
