American Modern Adventure team to expand its scope of interest with a surprising signing of a World Tour rider
Cycling
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.
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.
Jonas Rutsch has previously finished amongst the best at Paris-Roubaix
Rutsch brings quality for classics
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.
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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- guess what Valgren, you're 34, and no you're not good enough. sorry to say.mij14-11-2026
- I'm a sepp fan and like to think he earned that LOL, indulge me : ) I think Jonas was fine. Roglic did not want to concede to Sepp. and I don't think you ever attack your own teammate in the leaders jersey if he is holding his own, which Sepp just about was.mij14-11-2026
- enough time? he's 24 years old. He's won 10 races over the last 2 years and some are significant. I won't argue about his attitude being good - it needs to improve. But with some coaching and mentorship he has a lot of winning ahead of him and has plenty of time to win a GT. I don't think he will ever beat Tadej, but everyone else is fair game Look at Mas and Valverde - they were 31 and 29, respectively, when they won the Vuelta.mij14-11-2026
- Pogacar has a fine head on his shoulders.Careful investments and a couple of coffee shops sounds like a wonderful way to chill after an intense career.Stay healthy GOAT.
Brucegel14-11-2026 - I live in Maribor.PogiSloFans14-11-2026
- I live in Ljubljana and often go on trips in the surrounding area, where I frequently see young cyclists in 'Pogi Team' jerseys training, either alone or in groups. By simply motivating so many young people to take up cycling, Tadej has already achieved something truly significant.Velijo14-11-2026
- That's an excellent point. It's interesting that Vader came to that realization only after he learned that his contract wasn't going to be renewed.
santiagobenites14-11-2026 - Indeed! A reluctant gift maybe. Even more reluctant gift from Roglic! Tho I can’t see that Rog would have beaten Ving anyway.Lozza14-11-2026
- That really nasty crash in 2022 Liege must have played a big part - broken ribs, pneumothorax. You only have to look at his points tallies pre and post.Lozza14-11-2026
- Yeah, good luck getting tv and race organisers like ASO etc to part with their cash!Lozza14-11-2026
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