Grand Prix of the GDR (cycling)

The GDR Grand Prix was a regularly held track cycling event in the GDR . The competition for track sprinters was first held in 1961 by the German Cycling Association of the GDR (DRSV) and continued until 1990. From 1986, the competition was also open to women and was held until 1990.

Historical

The GDR Grand Prix took place over the course of time on various cycling tracks in Leipzig, Gera, Cottbus, Dresden, Forst, Frankfurt an der Oder, Karl-Marx-Stadt (Chemnitz) and Berlin (East). Only amateurs took part in this sprint tournament; all world champions in the amateur sprint between 1964 and 1990 competed at least once in this competition. In the first few years the Grand Prix was held in several tournaments in different cities with a continuous overall ranking. From 1971 it took place on a competition day. Up until the last event, the GDR Grand Prix was part of the competition calendar of the Union Cycliste International (UCI).

Events

1961 - Brian Dew

On July 22nd the first run started on the track in Berlin-Weißensee (winner Piet van der Touw ), the second run took place on the Forst Velodrome (winner Brian Dew), the third run in Dresden (winner Dave Handley ). Sprinters from Australia , the Federal Republic of Germany , Denmark , France , Great Britain , the Netherlands and the GDR competed. Brian Drew from Australia was the overall winner, 2nd place Jürgen Simon , 3rd place Ronald Baensch (Australia).

1962 - Zbysław Zając

Sprinters from Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Poland , the USSR and the GDR competed. Again three rounds were run, on all three tracks (Dresden, Forst and Berlin) Zbysław Zając from Poland won, 2nd place Imant Bodnieks (USSR), 3rd place Ronald Baensch (Australia). The best GDR driver was Hans-Jürgen Klunker in fourth.

1963 - Rainer Marx

This time the railways from Karl-Marx-Stadt , Berlin and Leipzig were the venues. 18 sprinters from Great Britain, the Netherlands, Austria , New Zealand and the GDR faced the starter. The clear winner by winning all three races was Rainer Marx from Karl-Marx-Stadt, 2nd place Piet van der Touw 3rd place Wolfgang Tertschek .

1964 - Zbysław Zając

The tournament started in 1964 with drivers from six countries. This time Tertschek won in Dresden, in Karl-Marx-Stadt and Leipzig Zając laid the foundation for his overall success with two wins. The winner for the second time was Zbysław Zając, 2nd place Wolfgang Tertschek from Leipzig, 3rd place Miloš Jelínek (ČSSR).

1965 - Omar Pchakadze

The venues this year were the cycling tracks in Gera , Leipzig and Erfurt . 19 drivers from seven countries ( Belgium , ČSSR, Great Britain, Poland, Romania , USSR and the GDR) competed, all of them were dominated by Omar Pchakadze (who participated for the first time), all of his runs and thus all three tournaments as well as the overall standings won. The 2nd place went to Miloš Jelínek , the 3rd place went to Hans-Jürgen Klunker.

1966 - Omar Pchakadze

This year, the Grand Prix was not favored by the weather, the races in Berlin and Leipzig could not take place due to rain. This is how the winner was determined in Gera. This time the participants came from the Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Romania, the USSR, Hungary and the GDR. Again Pchakadze managed to win all of his runs. In the final he defeated Giordano Turrini (both faced each other in the final of the UCI World Championships in 1965 ), 3rd place went to Dino Verzini , who defeated Jürgen Geschke .

1967 - Omar Pchakadze

For the first time, the reigning world champion Daniel Morelon , as well as the World Cup medalists Pierre Trentin and Omar Pchakadse were all at the start. In addition to France, sprinters from the ČSSR, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, the USSR and the GDR competed. The first round in Berlin went to Pchakadse, who beat Morelon in the final. In Dresden Pchakadse won against Ivan Kučírek in the final and in the Leipzig final Morelon was again the loser. So again like last year all three series to Omar Pchakadze. 2nd place in the Grand Prix went to Daniel Morelon, 3rd place went to Jürgen Geschke.

1968 - Igor Zelowalnikow

The start list included the names of 18 sprinters from Bulgaria , the ČSSR, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Romania, the USSR and the GDR. This time it was driven on the railways from Berlin, Leipzig and Gera. The winner in Berlin was Igor Zelowalnikow , who came into the squad of the Soviet Union at the last minute as a substitute for the three-time winner of the Grand Prix Omar Pchakadze. Imant Bodnieks won in Leipzig and Gera , so that all competitions went to Soviet drivers. The overall winner was Zelowalnikow from Moscow, Bodnieks took 2nd place, and Jürgen Geschke secured 3rd place, as in the previous year.

1969 - Jürgen Geschke

12 drivers from Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, for the first time from Switzerland and Cuba , the USSR and the GDR entered the competition, which was held on the Leipzig and Berlin tracks. So for the first time only two racing series. In Berlin Jürgen Geschke won three finals against Sergei Krawzow. In Berlin there was this result again, Geschke has now won two races. The overall victory went to Jürgen Geschke for the first time (who had always competed since the 2nd edition in 1962), 2nd place to Krawzow, 3rd place to Poland Kupczak.

1970 - Daniel Morelon

This time the Grand Prix was held in Dresden and Karl-Marx-Stadt. It became a competition between drivers from Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, the USSR and the GDR. 13,000 spectators on the 2nd day saw a superior winner Daniel Morelon against Werner Otto . Ivan Kučírek won the second final in Dresden against Morelon, who was nevertheless the sure overall winner. The 2nd place went to Kučírek, 3rd was his compatriot Popelka.

1971 - Ezio Cardi

The Grand Prix was held in a tournament from 1971 (one day later, a revenge was held). He was driven on the newly reconstructed Alfred-Rosch-Kampfbahn in Leipzig in front of sold-out stands. 10 countries participated: Australia, Belgium, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Poland, the USSR, France, Italy, Cuba and the GDR. Ezio Cardi won all his runs ahead of his final opponent Jürgen Geschke. 3rd place went to Valery Trifonov from the Soviet Union.

1972 - Jürgen Geschke

At the start this year were sprinters from Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, Italy, Cuba, the Netherlands, Poland, the USSR and the GDR. Geschke won both finals against Sergei Krawzow. As in the previous year, his compatriot Valeri Trifonov took third place.

1973 - Sergei Kravtsov

36 sprinters from nine countries competed in the Grand Prix on the track in Karl-Marx-Stadt (which was actually considered a typical track for standing races ). Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, the ČSSR, Denmark, France, Poland, the USSR and the GDR were represented. Sergei Krawzow won against the reigning GDR champion from Berlin, Peter Eichstädt . Third place went to Anatoli Jablunowski, Daniel Morelon played no role this time.

1974 - Sergei Kravtsov

The ČSSR, the Federal Republic, Cuba, the Netherlands, Poland, the USSR and the GDR were at the start. In Leipzig, Krawzow clearly won both finals ahead of Ivan Kučírek, and Jürgen Geschke placed 3rd.

1975 - Emanuel Raasch

At the standard date at the beginning of July, 25 drivers from the ČSSR, the Federal Republic, Cuba, Poland, the USSR and the GDR were registered. For the first time, the Grand Prix was part of the “Grand Prix of the Socialist Countries” racing series , which also premiered this year. The mode of the event was also changed: after the quarter-finals, the best four drivers competed in the "everyone against everyone" fight. With Emanuel Raasch from Berlin, the youngest driver against Jürgen Geschke decided this fight for himself. Third place went to Siegfried Schreiber from Berlin.

1976 - Emanuel Raasch

This time already at the beginning of June sprinters from the Federal Republic, Bulgaria, the Czechoslovak Republic, Italy, and for the first time from Barbados and Jamaica , the Netherlands, Poland, the USSR, Hungary and the GDR met for the 16th edition of the Grand Prix in Leipzig. In the final, Emanuel Raasch needed three runs to defeat Anton Tkáč , all three runs ended as close as possible. 3rd place was won by Peter Eichstädt against the indisposed Jürgen Geschke. Raasch also won the Grand Prix of the socialist countries (tied with Geschke).

1977 - Jürgen Geschke

With drivers from Bulgaria, the Czechoslovakia, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the USSR, Hungary and the GDR, they drove again in Leipzig. Jürgen Geschke defeated Emanuel Raasch in the final, 3rd place went to the new sprint talent Vratislav Šustr from the ČSSR.

1978 - Lutz Heßlich

At the start in Leipzig this time only five countries, the ČSSR, France, Poland, Hungary and the GDR. Already in the round of 16, the GDR sprinters were among themselves except for Alex Pontet from France. 19-year-old Lutz Heßlich from Cottbus won the final against Raasch. Third place went to Gunter Berger from Berlin without a fight, as his opponent Christian Drescher could no longer compete due to a fall injury.

1979 - Lutz Heßlich

29 sprinters from nine countries (Bulgaria, ČSSR, France, Great Britain, Poland, Romania, USSR, Hungary and the GDR) were registered. Last year's winner Heßlich needed three runs to win against Raasch. Ralf Kuschy certainly won 3rd place in the Berlin duel against Drescher.

1980 - Lutz Heßlich

At the start in Leipzig were 33 track sprinters from Bulgaria, the ČSSR, France, Cuba, Poland, Romania, the USSR, Hungary, for the first time from the USA and the GDR. The favorite Heßlich first had to go into the repechage because he was distanced in his preliminary run. In the final, Lutz Heßlich and Michael Hübner faced each other for the first time ; Heßlich won two races. Third place went to Raasch, who beat Kuschy. Among the top eight drivers, Sergei Schuravljow from the Soviet Union was the only foreigner to place 8th.

1981 - Lutz Heßlich

This year riders from Bulgaria, the ČSSR, the Federal Republic, Cuba, Austria, Poland, Hungary and the GDR competed. Favorite Lutz Heßlich prevailed against Emanuel Raasch. He needed three runs, however, and Raasch won the second run with a new record for the last 200 meters on the Leipziger Bahn. Third place went to Michael Huebner in one run, because his competitor Detlef Uibel had fallen.

1982 - Lutz Heßlich

Ten countries and 35 drivers had submitted their entries for the Grand Prix: the Federal Republic, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Cuba, Poland, Romania, the USSR, the USA and the GDR. Lutz Heßlich clearly won the finals against Michael Hübner, while Detlef Uibel took 3rd place against Olaf Arndt , also with a safe finish. The best foreign driver was Mark Gorski in eighth place .

1983 - Lutz Heßlich

In Leipzig, 35 drivers from Bulgaria, the ČSSR, the Federal Republic, France, Poland, the USA, the USSR, Hungary and the GDR competed against the starter. Except for Mark Gorski from the USA, only GDR drivers made it to the quarter-finals. Lutz Heßlich won the two finals against Michael Huebner. The 3rd place went to Detlef Uibel.

1984 - Lutz Heßlich

This time Bulgaria, the Federal Republic, the ČSSR, Cuba, Poland, the USSR, Hungary and the GDR started in Leipzig. In his preliminary run, Lutz Heßlich set a world best for cement railways for the last 200 meters with 10.56 seconds . Heßlich went through the tournament without defeat, in the final he defeated Ralf Kuschy twice. Michael Huebner took 3rd place this time.

1985 - Lutz Heßlich

Sprinters from seven (Federal Republic, Bulgaria, ČSSR, Italy, Poland, Romania, GDR) countries competed in the 25th edition. Lutz Heßlich needed three runs to win against Michael Huebner. 3rd place went to Ralf Kuschy. The best foreign sprinter was the Italian Patrizio Rampazzo in fifth.

1986 - Lutz Heßlich

Leipzig saw sprinters from the Federal Republic, Bulgaria, the ČSSR, France, Italy, Poland, Hungary and the GDR at the start. With Daniel Morelon, Sergio Bianchetti , Benedykt Kocot , Udo Hempel and Jürgen Geschke, former world champions in track cycling were there as trainers . The clear winner was once again Lutz Heßlich, who this time defeated Bill Huck in the final, while Michael Huebner took 3rd place. The competition, held for the first time for women, was won by Christa Rothenburger against the reigning world champion Isabelle Nicoloso from France.

1987 - Lutz Heßlich

The starting field in Leipzig consisted of drivers from the Federal Republic, the ČSSR, Italy, Poland, Hungary and the GDR. Lutz Heßlich won the Grand Prix for the tenth time in a row, it was the 51st Grand Prix success of his career. In the final he defeated the reigning world champion Michael Hübner, Ralf Kuschy took 3rd place. Christa Rothenburger won the women again.

1988 - Lutz Heßlich

Shortly before the Summer Olympics , sprinters from Bulgaria, the ČSSR, Italy, Great Britain, Poland and the GDR competed. Only GDR sprinters were then in the quarter-finals. The final result was ugly ahead of Huebner and Huck in 3rd place. Christa Luding-Rothenburger (she had meanwhile married) won the women's tournament again.

1989 - Bill Huck

The Cottbus velodrome was the Grand Prix, competed this year the venue to the driver from Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Austria and the GDR. The final was won by Bill Huck against Michael Huebner, the 3rd place went to Eyk Pokorny . In the women’s category , Annett Neumann from Cottbus won ahead of her club mate Sinett Wolke.

1990 - Bill Huck

It was the last edition of the GDR Grand Prix, in which drivers from Bulgaria, the Federal Republic, Belgium, the ČSSR, Denmark, Poland, and the GDR took part. The venue was the cycling track in Frankfurt an der Oder. Bill Huck won both finals against Jens Fiedler , with Michael Schulze on 3rd place . In the women’s category, Annett Neumann again won ahead of Sinett Wolke.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Presidium of the Cycling Section of the GDR (Ed.): Cycling Week . No. 31/1961 . Berlin 1961, p. 1 .
2. ^ Presidium of the Cycling Section of the GDR (Ed.): Cycling Week . No. 29/1962 . Berlin 1962, p. 8 .
3. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 14/1963 . Berlin 1963, p. 3 .
4. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 25/1967 . Berlin 1964, p. 8 .
5. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 28/1965 . Berlin 1965, p. 4 .
6. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 27/1966 . Berlin 1966, p. 7 .
7. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 27/1967 . Berlin 1967, p. 7 .
8. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 25/1968 . Berlin 1968, p. 6 .
9. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 28/1969 . Berlin 1969, p. 9 .
10. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 27/1970 . Berlin 1970, p. 4 .
11. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 28/1971 . Berlin 1971, p. 1 .
12. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 28/1972 . Berlin 1972, p. 1 .
13. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 28/1973 . Berlin 1973, p. 1 .
14. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 28/1974 . Berlin 1974, p. 2 .
15. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 28/1975 . Berlin 1975, p. 1 .
16. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 23/1976 . Berlin 1976, p. 2 .
17. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 27/1977 . Berlin 1077, p. 2 .
18. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 28/1978 . Berlin 1978, p. 2 .
19. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 28/1979 . Berlin 1979, p. 2 .
20. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 27/1980 . Berlin 1980, p. 2 .
21. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 28/1981 . Berlin 1981, p. 3 .
22. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 27/1982 . Berlin 1982, p. 1 .
23. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 27/1983 . Berlin 1983, p. 1 .
24. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 28/1984 . Berlin 1984, p. 1 .
25. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 32/1985 . Berlin 1985, p. 2 .
26. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 33/1986 . Berlin 1986, p. 2 .
27. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 33/1987 . Berlin 1987, p. 2 .
28. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 34/1988 . Berlin 1988, p. 2 .
29. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 31/1989 . Berlin 1989, p. 2 .
30. ^ German Cycling Association of the GDR (ed.): The cyclist . No. 30/1990 . Berlin 1990, p. 3 .