Cycling enthusiasts mark your calendars for the upcoming blossoming season in Büttgen, where scenic rides await across beautiful landscapes.
Preparations are underway for the 61st edition of the street race in Büttgen, set to take place on May 1st. This high-octane event, starting and finishing at Pampusstraße (near the Church/Pampusschule), features a challenging 900-meter course that places immense demands on riders, providing no respite. All corners can be negotiated without braking, with riders whizzing past spectators at hair-raising speeds.
In 2018, Theo Reinhardt, the former Madison world champion, accomplished a double victory on both the track and the road in Büttgen. This year, one of the track aces might repeat the feat, perhaps Tim Torn Teutenberg, who was unable to compete last year due to commitments with his racing team. He won the road race in 2022 and 2024 but yielded to the pair Kluge/Reinhardt on the track those years.
Roger Kluge, a German track cyclist with numerous world medals, and Ina-Yoko Teutenberg, a retired professional road racer with multiple world championship medals, are amongst the likely contenders for this year's event. Their previous performances indicate a fierce battle for this year's crown in the elite men's category over 80 laps (approximately 72 kilometers).
In the earlier hours of the day, the amateur's race for the Franz-Josef-Kallen Prize will kick off at 9:00 AM. This race, always a delight for spectators, features the youngest participants competing in three age groups. A children's event named "Race & Run-Bike Kids" will also take place, offering three age groups to compete for the Peter-Kirchhartz Memorial Prizes. The kids' series will conclude with a run-bike race for the 2021 and younger age groups. Registration for the kids' races is possible via email.
The elite women will start their race at 12:25 PM, and featuring in the contest is Olympic champion Mieke Kröger. There remains the tantalizing possibility of her achieving the first double in the elite women's category.
At 2:00 PM, the Tandem Initiative, under the patronage of Lutz Lienenkaemper, former State Minister and member of the Deutsche Bundesbank board, will provide a tandem ride around the course for children from Kaarster support schools Astrid-Lindgren and Sebastianus, accompanied by a prominent partner from politics and sports. A family-friendly framework program with a bouncy castle will be provided on the Pampusschule's grounds, while adults can enjoy the children's and riders' activities with refreshments and snacks.
With an anticipated participation record to beat, Lars Witte, chairman of the cycling department, has ordered 300 start numbers. Participants stand to receive a special edition start number, a medal, a t-shirt, and an ice voucher. Registration on the race day at the number pick-up on the old Pampusschule's schoolyard is still possible until about 30 minutes before the respective start.
In the family-friendly atmosphere, children from local support schools Astrid-Lindgren and Sebastianus will have the opportunity to experience a tandem ride with a prominent partner from politics and sports, contributing to a fun-filled day for all family members.
During the street race, spectators might witness an Olympic champion, Mieke Kröger, attempting to make history by achieving the first double in the elite women's category, creating a thrilling moment for both fans of sports and her family members.
