Jonas Rutsch has been a professional cyclist for over a year and a half. If he had been told at the beginning of his career as a professional driver in 2020 what he would experience and achieve in these months, he would hardly have thought it possible. A tailor-made start when he made a name for himself as a strong driver in his first races; a lockdown, during which he trained impetuously and obsessed - for almost nothing; then in the second year of his contract with his team EF Education-Nippo the nomination for the Tour de France, which he justified with strong performances in series despite falling injuries. And now, at the end of the 2021 season, the Odenwald's name is taken for granted when it comes to participating in the remaining major cycling events.

On the last Sunday in September, the world championships take place in Belgium, in Flanders, in the heart of European cycling. On Monday, the Association of German Cyclists will announce which professionals it has nominated for the difficult course. Rutsch is like the Oberurseler John Degenkolb, the other professional with roots in Rhein-Main, a hot candidate. "If it is enough to participate in the World Cup, it would be a special highlight for me," says Rutsch. It is hard to imagine that the association will do without the up-and-coming Erbacher, especially since the classic expert has proven his skills on Flemish terrain and would be at the service of the team.

After the break after the Tour of France, he went back to racing mode with the Germany Tour and the European Championship race in Trento. “I'm in a very positive mood. I'm in good shape, I feel exactly where I want to be, ”says Rutsch, who over the past few weeks has not only spent his days on the bike, but also with learning material at his desk. The 23-year-old student is a member of the sports promotion group of the Hessian police. And a professional cyclist who has increased its market value significantly this season.

There is still no news as to whether the 1.97 meter tall athlete, whose team did not register for Rutsch's home race Eschborn – Frankfurt this Sunday, will extend the expiring contract with his American team, but the tendency is that he will stay. As he says, he has not yet felt any greater expectations on his way from young professional to established force in the peloton. “I free myself from external expectations. I want to do my own justice first. And that means that I want to get the best out of every competition I compete in, ”said Rutsch.

He has also earned recognition from the experienced Degenkolb - the two train together on a regular basis. “Jonas is a very talented racing driver. In some situations he is still too nervous and excited. In the future, he will get even more out of his potential if he gains more coolness and cleverness, ”says 31-year-old Degenkolb.

With the Oberurseler, Rutsch shares a fascination for the Paris – Roubaix classic, feared for its many cobblestone sectors. Degenkolb won there in 2015, Rutsch will probably debut on the first Sunday of October in the so-called "Hell of the North". The race is “in the truest sense of the word a good place to show performance. I was always told that my way of fighting could be rewarded there, ”said the Hessian. Now is the time to find out.