Modern Adventure Pro Cycling will not be a major player on this winter's transfer market. The American ProTeam launched its project last winter with all riders but one coming on-board on two-year contracts. But still, at least one big signing might be coming, and it's hardly the one that people would expect.
The one exception was high-level cycling's returnee Leo Hayter, former Giro d'Italia under-23 winner who stopped cycling towards the end of 2024 season, but returned this year. And since his performances were convincing, he easily found a new contract with the American team.
This puts Modern Adventure - Factor Racing (as the team will be known from 2027) at 21 names. And the number 22 should according to journalist Daniel Benson be German rouleur Jonas Rutsch. The transfer expert suggests the official announcement will be coming either on Thursday or Friday already.
Rutsch brings quality for classics
With Jonas Rutsch comes wealth of experience of a professional of seven years. The German rider spent most of it with EF Education-EasyPost, but switched to Intermarché - Wanty ahead of 2025 season, and later represented the merged Lotto-Intermarché formation this year.
Throughout his career, Rutsch built a solid reputation as a breakaway rider who has managed to secure more than one big result through anticipation moves. This strategy has been particularly efficient at the 2025 Paris-Roubaix, where Rutsch reached an impressive 6th position after a long day out.
Rutsch returned to use the same recipe for Grand Prix de Québec where he claimed a 19th spot as a rider who, with his towering 197 centimeters of height, is not the prototype puncheur.
🚨 Jonas Rutsch is going from Lotto Intermarche to Modern Adventure in 2027. A surprise move, but a great signing for the American team. Confirmation should be out in the next 24/48hrs 🇺🇸
— Dnlbenson (@dnlbenson) October 14, 2026
However Rutsch can also score a top result by "regular means" which he confirmed during the debut edition of Philadelphia Cycling Classic. There, he reached the select trio fighting for victory and ultimately claimed a podium result - the first of his professional career.
This signing therefore seems to arrive at a perfect time to lead the Modern Adventure in Classics where, thus far, they lacked this kind of firepower. Whether the signal is that the projected intended to promote riders from English-speaking countries will now open its doors to "foreign" riders remains to be seen.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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