Pascal Ackermann

Pascal Ackermann (born 17 January 1994 in Kandel, Germany) is a German professional road bicycle racer specializing in sprint finishes, currently competing for UCI ProTeam Israel–Premier Tech.^[1][2] Ackermann turned professional in 2017 with Bora–Hansgrohe, where he quickly established himself as a top sprinter, securing his first UCI WorldTour victory in stage 5 of the 2017 Tour de Romandie.^[3] Over his career, he has amassed 45 UCI victories, including 12 one-day races and a time trial win.^[4] In 2018, he claimed the German National Road Race Championship, becoming the national champion at age 24.^[5] Ackermann's most notable achievements include five Grand Tour stage victories: three at the Giro d'Italia (stages 2 and 5 in 2019, stage 11 in 2023), and two at the Vuelta a España (stages 9 and 18 in 2020).^[1] He also won the points classification at the 2019 Giro d'Italia, marking the first German rider to do so.^[6] After stints with UAE Team Emirates (2022–2023) and Israel–Premier Tech (2024–2025), Ackermann signed a two-year contract with Team Jayco AlUla starting in 2026 to bolster their sprint contingent.^[7]

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Pascal Ackermann was born on 17 January 1994 in Kandel, a town in the Pfalz region of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.^[1] He stands at 1.80 meters tall and weighs approximately 78 kilograms, attributes that would later support his development as a sprinter in professional cycling.^[2] Raised in Kandel, Ackermann grew up in a family deeply passionate about cycling, with his grandparents and siblings sharing this enthusiasm, which significantly influenced his early exposure to the sport.^[8] The Pfalz region, known for its rolling vineyards and strong local cycling culture—including events like the Rundfahrt Rheinland-Pfalz that passed near his hometown—fostered an environment where young riders like Ackermann could engage with the sport from an early age; he even admired regional hero Udo Bölts, a former professional cyclist and three-time German champion from the area.^[8] Ackermann's initial interest in cycling emerged around age six, when he participated in his first race, though he was initially reluctant and cried before the start but became hooked after receiving a trophy and a party horn as rewards.^[8] At age seven, he obtained a racing license, choosing cycling over football partly due to the prize money it offered.^[8] In 2004, at the age of ten, he joined the local RV Edelweiß Kandel cycling club, beginning his structured involvement in youth categories such as Schüler, where he remained affiliated through 2012 across various junior levels.^[9] This early club experience laid the groundwork for his later transition into competitive amateur racing.

Amateur career

Ackermann began his junior cycling career in 2011 with the RV Edelweiß Kandel club, where he competed in both road and track events as part of youth development teams in the Rheinland-Pfalz region.^[10] His early focus was on building sprint capabilities through local and national youth competitions, laying the foundation for his transition to higher-level racing.^[8] In 2011, Ackermann achieved international success on the track, winning gold in the team sprint at the UCI Junior Track World Championships in Moscow alongside teammates Benjamin König and Max Niederlag; the German trio set a junior world record time of 59.982 seconds.^[11] The following year, he claimed another major title by securing gold in the omnium at the 2012 UEC European Junior Track Championships in Anadia, Portugal, demonstrating his versatility across multiple track disciplines.^[12] Transitioning to the under-23 category in 2013, Ackermann joined the continental Rad-Net Rose Team, where he raced for four seasons and honed his road sprinting skills in UCI Europe Tour events.^[13] Key highlights included multiple stage podiums at the Tour de Berlin, such as third place on stage 3 in 2014, and consistent top finishes that showcased his emerging talent as a bunch sprinter.^[14] During his under-23 tenure, Ackermann's most prominent road victory came in 2016 when he won the German U23 national road race championship in a bunch sprint finish, controlling the race with his team to secure the title.^[15] That same year, he added stage wins at the Tour de Berlin, including victories on stages 3b and 4, contributing to his development as a reliable finisher in multi-day races.^[16] These achievements, totaling several wins across junior and under-23 levels, positioned him for a professional contract with Bora–Hansgrohe starting in 2017.^[17]

Professional road career

Bora–Hansgrohe (2017–2021)

Pascal Ackermann joined Bora–Hansgrohe as a neo-professional in 2017, marking his entry into the UCI WorldTour after a successful under-23 career.^[1] His debut season focused on adaptation, with no victories but promising results such as fifth place at the Scheldeprijs and third on a stage of the Tour of Guangxi.^[14] Ackermann's breakthrough came in 2018, when he secured his first professional win on stage 5 of the Tour de Romandie on April 29, outpacing a strong field in a bunch sprint to claim the biggest victory of his young career at that point. That year, he amassed nine wins, including the German National Road Race Championships on July 1, where he dominated the bunch sprint ahead of John Degenkolb and Max Walscheid.^[18] Ackermann integrated effectively into the team's sprint train, often supported by lead-out man Shane Archbold, though tensions arose in 2019 when he was selected over teammate Sam Bennett for the Giro d'Italia sprint leadership, a decision that highlighted the team's evolving dynamics around multiple fast finishers.^[19] The 2019 season represented Ackermann's peak with Bora–Hansgrohe, yielding 13 victories and solidifying his status as a top sprinter. At the Giro d'Italia, he won stages 2 and 5—on May 12 in Fucecchio, edging out Elia Viviani in a tense sprint finish that showcased his explosive acceleration, and on May 15 in Terracina, navigating wet conditions to beat Arnaud Démare—while clinching the points classification jersey with consistent top finishes.^[20][21] Earlier that spring, on May 1, he triumphed at the home race Eschborn–Frankfurt, breaking Alexander Kristoff's streak with a powerful sprint over John Degenkolb, emphasizing Bora–Hansgrohe's tactical precision in positioning him for the win.^[22] These successes underscored Ackermann's rivalries with elite sprinters like Viviani, where split-second tactics in chaotic finishes proved decisive, and his ability to capitalize on the team's lead-out despite occasional crashes, such as one on Giro stage 10 that forced him to fight for survival but did not derail his overall campaign.^[23] In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic's disruptions to the calendar, Ackermann still managed eight wins, including two stages at the Vuelta a España: stage 9 on October 29, awarded after Sam Bennett's relegation for a dangerous sprint, and stage 18 on November 8 in Madrid, where he narrowly beat Bennett in a photo finish to cap the race.^[24][25] His role extended beyond pure sprints, contributing to team efforts in Grand Tours while targeting flat stages, though the shortened season limited opportunities. The 2021 campaign brought six wins, such as stages at the Deutschland Tour, but Ackermann faced form inconsistencies and a shifting team priority toward climbers like Primož Roglič and Emanuel Buchmann, reducing sprint-focused resources.^[14] Feeling constrained in a "comfort zone" that stifled further growth, he announced his departure for UAE Team Emirates in July, ending his Bora–Hansgrohe tenure with 36 professional victories and establishment as one of the peloton's premier sprinters.^[26][27][28]

UAE Team Emirates (2022–2023)

Ackermann joined UAE Team Emirates in 2022 on a two-year contract, motivated by the prospect of superior support in Grand Tour sprints from the team's robust general classification riders, including Tadej Pogačar. His prior sprint successes at Bora–Hansgrohe, where he amassed multiple victories, fueled expectations for a prominent role within the squad's structure.^[29] The 2022 season presented adaptation challenges due to the team's emphasis on climber priorities and hierarchical dynamics, which restricted Ackermann's sprint opportunities as resources were often directed toward supporting Pogačar in key events. Despite these constraints, he secured two victories: the Bredene Koksijde Classic in March and stage 4 of the Tour de Pologne in August, both showcasing his explosive finishing ability in bunch sprints. Ackermann also demonstrated versatility in the classics, finishing 20th at Milan–San Remo amid a competitive field, though consistent top-tier results proved elusive in a superteam environment less tailored to pure sprinters.^[1][30][31] In 2023, Ackermann's campaign was marked by intermittent form issues stemming from a coccyx fracture sustained the previous year, which hampered his consistency and sprint sharpness, compounded by minor injuries throughout the season. He nonetheless claimed two wins, with his standout performance being a photo-finish victory on stage 11 of the Giro d'Italia, his third career stage success in the race and a pivotal morale boost after an early-season drought. The other triumph came on stage 1 of the Tour of Austria in July. Team dynamics shifted as Ackermann integrated into the lead-out alongside Juan Sebastián Molano, forming a dual-sprint option that occasionally led to shared responsibilities, a departure from the dedicated sprint focus he enjoyed at Bora–Hansgrohe.^{[32][33][34][35]} Ackermann left UAE Team Emirates at the end of 2023, driven by a desire for expanded sprint leadership roles amid the squad's growing emphasis on climbing talents and Grand Tour contention, which diminished dedicated flat-stage pursuits for sprinters.^[36]

Israel–Premier Tech (2024–2025)

In August 2023, Pascal Ackermann signed a two-year contract with the UCI ProTeam Israel–Premier Tech, returning to a lead sprinter role after experiencing limited opportunities in bunch sprints during his tenure at the WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates.^[37][38] The move allowed him to rebuild his form and target major sprint opportunities, including a return to the Tour de France.^[37] During the 2024 season, Ackermann secured no victories but demonstrated consistent competitiveness in sprint finishes, adapting to the ProTeam's resource constraints and occasional setbacks such as crashes and illness.^[1] For instance, he finished second on stage 9 of the Tour de France to Saint-Amand-Montrond, narrowly missing out to Dylan Groenewegen in a reduced bunch sprint.^[39] He also achieved top-10 placings in several other flat stages, including sixth on stage 16, though challenges like illness forced him to abandon the Tour de Pologne midway.^[40][41] As the team's primary sprinter, Ackermann benefited from support by teammates including Israeli rider Itamar Einhorn, who contributed to lead-outs in races like the Sparkassen Münsterland Giro.^[42] Ackermann's 2025 campaign marked a partial resurgence, highlighted by his victory in the inaugural Classique Dunkerque on May 13, where he outkicked Biniam Girmay in a bunch sprint to Lens after a controlled team effort.^[43][44] He participated in the Giro d'Italia without securing a stage win, focusing on sprint stages amid the team's broader objectives.^[1] Similarly, at the Vuelta a España, Ackermann targeted flat stages but did not claim victory, contributing to Israel–Premier Tech's overall efforts in the Grand Tour.^[1] With one win for the season, his performances underscored adaptation to the ProTeam level while maintaining his role as the squad's sprint leader.^[1] On 5 November 2025, Ackermann announced he would depart Israel–Premier Tech at the end of his contract to join WorldTeam Team Jayco AlUla on a two-year deal starting in 2026.^[7] By the close of 2025, his career tally stood at 45 UCI victories, including five Grand Tour stages.^[45][46]

Team Jayco AlUla (2026–)

On 5 November 2025, Pascal Ackermann signed a two-year contract with Team Jayco AlUla, covering the 2026 and 2027 seasons, to strengthen the squad's sprint capabilities.^[4][5] The Australian-based UCI WorldTour team, known for its sprint successes during the Caleb Ewan era with multiple Grand Tour stage wins, is rebuilding its lead-out structure after Dylan Groenewegen's departure to Unibet Rose Rockets.^[7][5] Ackermann, aged 31, is set to lead the sprint program alongside Luka Mezgec and Jasha Sütterlin, focusing on stage victories in major races including Grand Tours like the Tour de France.^[7][4] Seeking more consistent opportunities following his time with ProTeam Israel–Premier Tech, Ackermann aims to revive his winning form and extend his career into his mid-30s with the team's enhanced support.^[5] Ackermann commented, "It has always been a dream to join the team… Let’s get into 2026 and get back to the top."^[4] Team general manager Brent Copeland stated, "Pascal has shown throughout his career that he can win at the very highest level… We are looking forward to working with him next season."^[7][4]

Track cycling career

Junior track achievements

Pascal Ackermann began his track cycling career in the junior category, competing for Germany and quickly establishing himself as a promising sprinter. In 2011, he won the German national junior championship in the 1 km time trial and contributed to the team's gold medal in the team sprint at the same event. Later that year, Ackermann earned a silver medal in the team sprint at the UEC European Junior Track Championships in Anadia, Portugal, and a gold medal in the team sprint at the UCI Junior Track World Championships in Moscow, riding alongside Benjamin König and Max Niederlag to set a winning time of 59.982 seconds, the only team under one minute.^[47] He also finished second in the keirin at the 2011 German national junior championships. Building on this success, Ackermann claimed a national junior title in the points race in 2012, along with silver medals in the team sprint and scratch, while training with the German junior track squad. His track background, particularly in sprint disciplines, developed the explosive power that later became a hallmark of his road sprinting prowess, where he was initially seen as a potential star in the kilometre event before shifting focus due to injury.^[48] In 2012, Ackermann achieved his pinnacle junior international result by winning gold in the omnium at the UEC European Junior Track Championships in Anadia, Portugal, finishing ahead of Jonas Rickaert and Jonathan Dibben with a score of 19 points. Over his junior years from 2010 to 2012, he amassed several medals in national championships, including wins in sprint and team events, solidifying his foundation in track cycling before transitioning more fully to road racing. Additionally, he earned silver in the scratch race at the elite level of the 2012 German National Track Championships.^[49]

Senior track participation

Ackermann's involvement in under-23 track cycling from 2013 to 2016 was limited but notable at the national level. His junior track successes served as the basis for his U23 entries. In 2013, he earned silver medals in the scratch and team sprint at the German National Track Championships. In 2014, he competed at the German National Track Championships in Cottbus, earning a bronze medal in the Madison event alongside Marco Mathis as part of the rad-net Rose Team. Transitioning to the senior level from 2017 onward, Ackermann's track appearances have been infrequent, reflecting his primary focus on professional road racing. He made a sporadic return in 2022 by registering for the German National Track Championships in Kaarst, the first such event since 2019 following a COVID-19-induced pause, though specific results from his participation were not prominent.^[50] No major international senior track achievements or podiums have been recorded in his career to date, with track efforts serving mainly as supplementary training rather than competitive priority. As of November 2025, there have been no reported track comebacks or announcements regarding retirement from the discipline.

Major results

Road results

Pascal Ackermann's road racing career features 41 UCI-level victories, including 5 Grand Tour stage wins, 9 one-day race successes, and numerous stage triumphs in multi-day events, as documented through 2025.^[51]

Victories by Year

• 2018: Tour de Romandie stage 5; Critérium du Dauphiné stage 2; German National Road Race Championship; Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic; Tour de Pologne stages 1 and 2; Brussels Cycling Classic; GP de Fourmies; Tour of Guangxi stage 2.^[51]
• 2019: Clàssica de Almería; Bredene Koksijde Classic; Eschborn–Frankfurt; Giro d'Italia stages 2 and 5; Tour of Slovenia stage 1; Tour de Pologne stages 1 and 3; Deutschland Tour stage 1; GP de Fourmies; Gooikse Pijl; Tour of Guangxi stages 3 and 6.^[51]
• 2020: Clàssica de Almería; UAE Tour stage 1; Sibiu Cycling Tour stages 2 and 3b; Tirreno–Adriatico stages 1 and 2; Vuelta a España stages 9 and 18.^[51]
• 2021: Sibiu Cycling Tour prologue and stage 3; Settimana Ciclistica Italiana stages 2, 3, and 5; Deutschland Tour stage 1.^[51]
• 2022: Bredene Koksijde Classic; Tour de Pologne stage 4.^[51]
• 2023: Giro d'Italia stage 11; Tour of Austria stage 1.^[51]
• 2024: No UCI victories; key placements include 3rd in Tour de France stage 10.
• 2025: Classique Dunkerque; key placements include 4th in 4 Jours de Dunkerque stage 1, 8th in Tour de France stage 3, and 4th in Tour de France stage 8.^[52]

Grand Tour Results

Ackermann has competed in six Grand Tours, achieving two stage wins in the 2019 Giro d'Italia (where he also won the points classification), two in the 2020 Vuelta a España, one in the 2023 Giro d'Italia, and no stage victories in his three other appearances, with consistent top-10 stage finishes highlighting his sprinting strength.^[53]

One-Day Race Wins

Ackermann has secured 11 victories in one-day races, primarily in UCI ProSeries and HC-level events, with notable successes including the 2018 Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic and 2019 Eschborn–Frankfurt, establishing his prowess in bunch sprints. Specific wins: Clàssica de Almería (2019, 2020); Bredene Koksijde Classic (2019, 2022); Eschborn–Frankfurt (2019); Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic (2018); Brussels Cycling Classic (2018); GP de Fourmies (2018, 2019); Gooikse Pijl (2019); Classique Dunkerque (2025).^[51][54]

National Titles

Ackermann won the German National Road Race Championship in 2018, his sole senior national title on the road.^[51]

Track results

Pascal Ackermann achieved notable success on the track during his junior years, earning international medals in sprint and endurance events that honed his explosive power for later road racing. His track palmarès comprises over 10 medals, predominantly from junior and under-23 levels, with limited senior-level results following his transition to professional road cycling in 2017.^[48]

Junior achievements (2011–2012)

• 2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships (Moscow): Gold medal in team sprint (with Benjamin König and Max Niederlag).^[55]
• 2011 UEC European Track Championships (Anadia): Silver medal in team sprint (with Benjamin König and Max Niederlag).^[56]
• 2011 German National Junior Track Championships: Gold medal in team sprint; gold medal in kilo; silver medal in keirin.^[57]
• 2012 UEC European Track Championships (Anadia): Gold medal in omnium; bronze medal in madison (with Domenic Weinstein).^[12]
• 2012 German National Junior Track Championships: Gold medal in points race; silver medal in team sprint; silver medal in omnium.^[57]

Under-23 achievements (2013–2016)

Ackermann competed in under-23 events, including top-10 finishes at the UEC European Track Championships in the omnium, but did not secure major international medals. At the 2014 German National Under-23 Track Championships, he contributed to the silver medal in team pursuit. National podiums supplemented his palmarès during this period.^[48]

Senior achievements (2017–2025)

Ackermann's senior track participation was sporadic, focused on national events amid his road career. He placed in the top 10 in the scratch race at the 2018 German National Track Championships. He competed in select Nations Cup events but did not qualify for World Championships, World Cups, or Olympic Games. No major senior international medals were recorded.^[48]