Outfit
The Jersey
In the early years of track cycling, every professional wore a jersey in their own special colors. This made them easily recognizable to spectators in the back rows during races.
When registering for a competition, riders were required to provide their license number and the colors of their jersey. The garment was always worn with the button placket on the left side of the body.
Walter Rutt in his colors
Photo: Stuttgart University Archive
Original jersey and cap belonging to Walter Rutt
Valuable legacy
The jersey worn by Walter Rutt shown here is stored in the archives of the University of Stuttgart. It is part of the estate of Hermann Sauter, who was a great admirer of the world champion.
Sauter, a wealthy businessman and passionate collector, invited Walter Rutt to Stuttgart for a visit lasting several weeks in 1951 and later to Denmark. It is not known whether Sauter purchased the garment or received it as a gift from Walter Rutt.
The jersey has tears in several places, a sure sign of intensive use and many falls. The cap, made in the same colors, was rarely used. There are numerous pictures showing Walter Rutt wearing headgear, but never this model.
What prompted him to make black and green his trademark colors is not known.