Cycling: Jonasutsch is contesting his third tour of Germany this year. Formerly active for Lotto – Kern-Haus, he has been driving for the WorldTour team EF since the season before last. Velomotion interviewed him before the start of the Deutschland Tour.
You have a very international group here at the start. Six drivers, six nations. How is your communication going?
Jonas slip: Yes, in English. All speak good English. English is also spoken on the radio. That works quite well so far.
You have come here with a very strong contingent. What are your ambitions? You'll probably try to go in groups?
Yes. But I think I'm also here to help out. For the tour, I'm a bit of a workhorse. We definitely have ambitions in the overall standings. With Ruben Guerreiro and Alberto Bettiol we have strong people with us. And Christian Eiking has already proven several times that he can ride GC.
Among other things, you are now racing against your former team Lotto – Kern-Haus. I saw earlier that they shouted something at you.
I was in this situation last year too. It's certainly a bit strange at first, but you get used to it.
You've already completed a few days of racing this season. Overall, how satisfied are you with your development at EF?
So last year was really good. I've made great strides forward. I've had a bit of bad luck this season and I'm actually not that happy. But now let's see what else we can do. Overall, my development at EF is certainly a very positive one.
What else do you have in store for you in 2022 after the Germany tour?
I'll do a few more one-day races in Belgium and France.
Richard Carapaz will join you next season. How will this change the team and your role?
Phew, I can't say for sure yet. We'll see. I mean, that's someone who can compete for victory in the Tour de France. That will certainly have an impact on the team and on the race planning.
https://www.velomotion.de/magazin/2020/01/radsport-tour-down-under-renntagebuch-von-jonas-rutsch-6/