Ernst Franz, the son of a bicycle dealer, began his racing career in 1910 and became a professional driver the following year. During his short career, the petite racing driver won numerous difficult road races. In 1913 and 1914 he won at Around Cologne and Berlin – Cottbus – Berlin , and in 1913 at Around Berlin . In the same year he won the Austrian 351 kilometer road race around the glaciers . Also in 1913 he won the first German championship for professional cyclists on the road, organized by the General Cyclist Union .
At the age of 21, Ernst Franz died as a soldier in the First World War.
Until 1994 the championships were organized separately for amateurs and professionals. This list shows the professional champions up to 1994, to the amateur results → German champions in road racing (amateurs)