Intermarché-Wanty welcomes 26-year-old German rider Jonas Rutsch to its ranks, bolstering the WorldTeam’s Classics core from EF-Education.
Over the past five seasons at the WorldTour level, the 26-year-old rider has distinguished himself in challenging races with an offensive temperament. He came to prominence with an eleventh place in the grueling edition of Paris-Roubaix held in October 2021, on his debut in the Hell of the North. This affinity for tough Classics was evident as early as the U23 category in 2019, where he won Gent-Wevelgem and finished fifth in the Tour of Flanders in his category, as well as eighth in the Rund um Köln and the Tour of Luxembourg against professionals.
A tall rider with a mountain biking background, Jonas Rutsch has established himself as a solid member of the American EF team, having participated in and finished two editions of the Tour de France in a support role for his leaders Rigoberto Uran, Magnus Cort, and Alberto Bettiol. His abilities as a powerful and aggressive rider have led to placings in the WorldTour such as a ninth place in the Cadel Road Race (2024) and a regular presence in the finales of the Flemish Classics.
Regularly selected for the German national team since the U23 category alongside his future teammate Georg Zimmermann, he was one of the main protagonists of the European Championships road race on Sunday, the only member of the early breakaway to finish the race in the lead group.
Jonas Rutsch: “Joining Intermarché-Wanty is a significant moment in my career. After five years in the same team, it’s an exciting new chapter, the result of a thoughtful decision. From the outside, the atmosphere within the team seems united and warm. I already know the German-speaking riders Laurenz Rex and Georg Zimmermann, who have praised the professional and family-like environment that allows you to surpass yourself. The team’s attractive racing style also appealed to me, as it suits me perfectly. Intermarché-Wanty has a reputation for being fearless and not hiding, always attacking with a well-defined plan. I love the Classics, but I’ve also shown that I can be useful in stage races and the Tour. Every year, I look forward to Paris-Roubaix, it’s the most attractive race in my opinion and I would love to shine there with Intermarché-Wanty.”
Aike Visbeek: “We recruited Jonas Rutsch with the aim of strengthening our core for the Classics, particularly around Biniam Girmay. His profile as a powerful rider and his regular presence in the finales of the Flemish Classics demonstrate qualities that can complement those of Biniam. We are convinced that we can exploit all of his potential with a tailor-made program. He is a powerful rider, but also impresses in climbs for such a tall rider. We also intend to give him a key role in our sprint trains, as his big engine will be useful for maintaining our position in the peloton. He is certainly a valuable addition to our squad.”
