Jasha Sütterlin: "I want to go to the Tour and dream of the time trial title"

He competed in the Tour de France twice during his eleven years as a professional cyclist. The last experience was extremely painful. The professional cyclist from Freiburg fell by the wayside on stage 1 in 2021. He was involved in the mass crash caused by the spectator with the famous granny/opi sign. That was not to be his last memory of the most important cycling race in the world. Even today, he is still annoyed about the elimination, about the people who caused the crash - but also about the fact that he didn't try to continue despite the pain. "That was a shame. I want to get to Paris again," he says. In other words: He wants to be in the Tour line-up in July 2025.

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A better contract offer

But then in new clothes. He moved on from Bahrain-Victorious after three years - to Jayco-AIUla. The reason: "The better offer," says Sütterlin - he doesn't talk about money, but the Australians beckoned with a two-year contract, whereas his previous employer reportedly only offered one. "I have to see where I stay," emphasises Sütterlin, referring to his age. The professional cyclist from Freiburg im Breisgau is already 32 years old - that doesn't exactly make the job search any easier in view of the rampant youth craze in cycling.

Helper services at the big races - Tour and Classics

His first impressions of the new team and his colleagues - including new signing Ben O'Connor, sprint specialists Caleb Ewan and Dylan Groenewegen, the versatile Michael Matthews and the two German compatriots Max Walscheid and Felix Engelhardt? "After the first two days, it felt like I'd been with the team for five years. I'm super happy," says Sütterlin, probably also because after a year's break at his new job, he can look forward to starting again in the beloved classics Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. "I love these races," he emphasises. There he hopes to be able to help the designated captain Matthews to victory. Elsewhere too, the Australian racing team can use strong, speedy riders like Sütterlin: either to smooth the way for sprinter Dylan Groenewegen on the finishing straight or to take the wind off the svelte Ben O'Connor. The latter, Vuelta and World Championship silver medallist, is also new to the team and, as an Australian in an Australian team, is expected to fight for the podium at the Tour de France. Sütterlin would like to be there.

The dream of the DM title

However, being there as a helper is not everything for Sütterlin. Despite his advanced age, Sütterlin still dreams of his own successes. In addition to his role as a helper, he also wants to achieve a good result somewhere himself - "for my self-confidence", as he says. His biggest goal: "I want to become German champion in the individual time trial." For years, he bared his teeth at the superior Tony Martin - in 2017, after 48 kilometres of a long-distance duel, he was just 15 seconds short of winning the title. Four-time world champion Martin has now ended his career - the path to the title would be clear. However, Sütterlin has not been as strong in the battle against the clock as in the past - "I let it slip," he admits. He wants to change that again for the new season.

The new contract runs for two years - until the end of the 2026 season. Sütterlin says that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get a new contract in professional cycling at an advanced age. But to be on the safe side, he is sending out a letter of application for a contract extension via TOUR early on: "If I have the opportunity, I'll ride until I'm 40 years old." And hopes that over-motivated cycling fans won't stand in his way again.