Willy Schmitter
Wilhelm Robert Schmitter , (born February 8, 1884 in Mülheim (today in Cologne ), † September 18, 1905 in Leipzig ) was a German racing cyclist .
In the first years of the 20th century, Willy Schmitter was considered to be the great talent on the cycling track and a rising star next to the stayer star Thaddäus Robl .
After finishing school, Schmitter first learned the trade of druggist . In May 1902 he won the “Rheingold Cup” for amateur racing cyclists, still known as “ Flieger ” (now called “Sprinter”), ahead of the Danish cycling star Orla Nord . In 1903 he moved into the professional camp and became a stayer. As a result, he won numerous grand prizes and defeated world-class drivers such as Robl, Robert Walthour , Piet Dickentman , Peter Günther and others. He quickly enjoyed great popularity, also because of his cheerful disposition. “ A 'Schmitter victory' in Cologne was like a big event and the enthusiasm of the people of Cologne found no limits. But it was also a pleasure for those far away to see the young driver take giant strides towards the top class. “Despite his youth, Schmitter was already in sixth place in the earnings ranking of German racing drivers for the years 1895 to 1905.
Due to his success, Schmitter took part in the Standing European Championship in Leipzig on September 17, 1905 . In one of the races in the context of this European Championship, he fell badly and then succumbed to his serious injuries.
Cycling journalist Fredy Budzinski wrote: “ A bony hand detaches itself from the flowing coat, stretches out and grabs the brave Schmitter by the neck. A hissing, popping, whistling, breaking [...] and a human body drags across the surface. “And on the occasion of the funeral he wrote:
“ What still shone brilliantly
in the morning, Sinks into the dust at sunset;
No one can escape fate,
the fastest racer is death! "
Willy Schmitter was buried in the communal Mülheim cemetery that was newly laid out a year earlier . Around 50,000 people followed the funeral procession for the 21-year-old. The crowd in the streets was so great that the police had to come.
In memory of Willy Schmitter, the RC Schmitter cycling club was founded in Cologne in 1930 , and is now based in Hürth - Gleuel .
literature
- Fredy Budzinski, Willy Schmitter , Berlin 1905
- Sport album of the Rad-Welt 1905, 4th year / 1906
Web links
- Willy Schmitter in the Radsportseiten.net database
- Renate Franz : Willy Schmitter. In: Portal Rhenish History. Retrieved September 30, 2018 .
- rc-schmitter.de
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Schmitter, Willy |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Schmitter, Wilhelm Robert (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German racing cyclist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | February 8, 1884 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Mülheim (now Cologne ) |
| DATE OF DEATH | September 18, 1905 |
| Place of death | Leipzig |