Former UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider steps away from road cycling at the age of 27 as he's replaced by former speed skater

Once part of Tadej Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates - XRG, 27-year-old Joel Suter has now stepped away from road cycling. The Swiss rider has now left Tudor Pro Cycling Team effective immediately, and will be replaced by a former speed skater rapidly rising through the ranks.

Lennart Jasch has been promoted to Tudor Pro Cycling’s professional team with immediate effect after the team and Suter came to a mutual agreement for the rider to shift focus to gravel racing with the team and seemingly retiring from road cycling.

Suter signed for Pogacar's Emirati setup for the 2022 season after stepping up from Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB. He spent that season at WorldTour level, winning the Swiss National Championships in the time trial.

He signed with Tudor for the 2023 season, where he has remained since. The 27-year-old started multiple WorldTour races this season, including the Santos Tour Down Under, Amstel Gold Race and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

He last rode the Tour of the Alps in April but suffered a crash and a subsequent concussion, the team confirmed the rider “felt he no longer had the same confidence in the fast-paced world of professional road racing.”

As one rider leaves the team, another has stepped up to the Pro Tour outfit's roster as it was confirmed Jasch continues his rapid rise in the cycling world. The 25-year-old German competed for the national team in speed skating until 2023 before a muscular injury derailed his career plans.

Tour of the Alps provided a breakout moment for Jasch after he took the King of the Mountains classification and a breakaway stage win while representing the Tudor main team in several races throughout spring.

Moving into cycling, he enjoyed a successful stint with the Red Bull - BORA Hansgrohe Rookies before joining Tudor's development team this season. He'll now dive straight into the deep end as he races the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, which begins on June 7th.

“When I look back, I can hardly believe it myself sometimes, just how much has happened since entering the world of cycling in 2024. I’m absolutely delighted to join the Pro Team now," said Jasch in a statement.

“The Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes will be my first race at WorldTour level and also my longest stage race to date," explained Jasch. "I’m looking forward to the experience and hope that I can support the Team as best I can."