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Veterans Cup 2007 - Veterans are coming home - Weiterstadt is back

At last! After a year's absence, the veterans are back at the home of old-school BMX: Weiterstadt. In 2006 there was nothing going on in Hessen, we couldn't ride on the time-honoured track. But this year the track was rebuilt and luckily it was ready in time for the German Championship 2007, which took place here on the last weekend of September from 29-30 September 2007. Unfortunately, the long-planned track opening race could no longer be organised, but the veterans were able to take part in the DM. Thanks to all the helpers who got the track ready in time, and thanks also to TSV Braunshardt for allowing the Veterans' Cup to take place here.

Everyone was extremely curious about the new track, what will it look like? There had already been a few rumours beforehand that the track would be extremely difficult and possibly unrideable, especially for the veterans. And after Guido Hannich, who lives in Hesse and had actively helped with the track construction, unfortunately had a serious fall during training shortly before the Veterans' Cup and broke his collarbone, these rumours were further fuelled. Fortunately, he was fine again for the race and was at least able to be there as a spectator. He will be mentioned again later in the report...

But the new track in Weiterstadt is gigantic. Very modern, extremely high and very hard because concreted steep bends, lots of obstacles, most of them also very angular. All in all, TSV Braunshardt has once again set a milestone in the German BMX scene here. The track is also very interesting for us veterans. Weiterstadt is ready for the 2008 European Championships and certainly also for the World Championships in the next few years.....

The new track in Weiterstadt with the veterans on the starting hill (left) and on the second straight (right)

A few very special veterans were there as spectators this time: Uwe S.t.u.r.m, one of the best German BMX'ers of the 80s. Uwe was always very fast, extremely hard to beat (if at all possible) and had the number 1 ranking for years. And one of his toughest competitors and also one of the best of the 80s was also there: Thomas W.e.n.s.c.h. I didn't recognise him at first sight. It was a great pleasure to see these two again. Markus S.t.o.e.c.k.l was also there with his family, a local from Darmstadt who took part in the very first BMX races in Germany in the early 80s and later celebrated many successes. Swen L.a.u.e.r had injured himself in the run-up to the event and was therefore unfortunately unable to take part. Instead, he presented his latest bikes, including the new UCX 25-inch bikes that he built for Suzuki. The bikes with the new wheel sizes have caused quite a stir; I'm curious to see how they will be received on the market. Markus F.i.s.c.h.e.r, a veteran from Weiterstadt and son of Hans F.i.s.c.h.e.r, probably the longest-serving BMX starter in Germany (perhaps even the world), also came by. He's currently living in Brazil and promised me he'd ride with me again next time. And someone who hasn't been riding actively for a long time, but unfortunately has never been actively involved in the Veterans' Cup, is Jens L.i.n.d.e.r. Jens: One day you have to ride with me, I would love to ride with / against you; we never had the pleasure of riding in the same class before. We have to make up for that!

Veterans as spectators: Markus S.t.o.e.c.k.l with his wife Sigrid, Uwe S.t.u.r.m, Markus F.i.s.c.h.e.r, Jens L.i.n.d.e.r, Swen L.a.u.e.r (from left to right)

The race was very well attended and there were fewer crashes among the veterans than initially feared. As usual, the two top riders of recent years, Agi R.a.m.a.l.h.o and Marco M.u.e.l.l.e.r, once again prevailed and decided the victory between themselves. But a few newcomers such as Patrick B.u.l.j.a.n, Martin W.i.n.t.e.r and Oliver K.n.o.l.l were also in great form and made it through to the final on their first participation. VetCup veterans such as Thomas F.a.l.t.e.r, David M.o.l.i.n.a and Michael P.e.t.e.r were also able to secure one of the coveted number plates with a single-digit number in this year's final.

Veterans Cup final: Shortly before the start with Agi R.a.m.a.l.h.o (lane 2) and Marco M.u.e.l.l.e.r (lane 7) (photo 1); at the first jump the two are already well ahead of the others (photo 2); Agi was again in a class of his own, on the second straight he was already clearly ahead (photo 3); behind him, however, it was very close (photo 4); on the third straight Marco is clearly in second place ahead of Thomas F.a.l.t.e.r, who managed to stay just ahead of the rest of the field (photo 5); and crossed the finish line in third place with a bike length advantage (photo 6)

Fortunately, there were no major injuries in any of the crashes. Unfortunately, only one of them was badly hit: Jörg A.r.n.o.l.d. In the 2nd qualifying run, he slightly overturned in the jump at the end of the first straight, tried to catch himself and unfortunately broke his metatarsal bone in the fall. At his first VetCup last year, he reached the final straight away, and now such a mishap happens to him. But if I know him, he won't hang his head and will be back in 2008.

Jörg A.r.n.o.l.d after his hospital visit. Even walking on crutches, he cuts a fine figure in his Hutch clothes

In addition to the race, there was of course plenty to see again. In addition to lots of super old-school bikes and clothing, there were cool cars, hot tents and lots of nice people.

Super old-school bikes, cool clothes, cool cars (P.r.a.n.t.l.'s Torker Dreamcar), hot (Suzuki) tents, nice people: what more could you want?

This year, the award ceremony was held in the evening in a pub next to the track. First, Rainer S.c.h.a.d.o.w.s.k.i gave a speech and looked back on 25 years of BMX in Germany. It was very interesting to hear what has happened in a quarter of a century of BMX sport. Afterwards there were the award ceremonies for the Veterans' Cup, King of Oldschool and the Best Bike awards. The finalists received number plates with the numbers 1-8, which they can ride next year. The winners of the King of Oldschool were: 1st Robert M.o.e.l.l.e.r (Diamond Back), 2nd Stefan P.r.a.n.t.l (Torker), 3rd Michael V.a.h.e.d.i (GHP), they all received oldschool coats, a certificate and, like the others, golden crowns.

Photos 1+2: The finalists of the Veterans' Cup (Agi R.a.m.a.l.h.o (#1), Marco M.u.e.l.l.e.r (#2), Patrick B.u.l.j.a.n (#5), Martin W.a.l.t.e.r (#8), Oliver K.n.o.l.l (#7)), in between Olaf K.l.e.i.n with this year's shirt; Photo 3: The three honoured King-of-Oldschoolers with bike coats are Peter J.a.n.d.t (left), Stephan P.r.a.n.t.l (centre), Robert M.o.e.l.l.e.r (right). Rainer S.c.h.a.d.o.w.s.k.i (hidden on the left) and Dieter S.c.h.a.d.o.w.s.k.i (far right) share in the joy. Photo 4: Robert M.o.e.l.l.e.r with crown: The face speaks volumes! Photo 5+6: Best Bike Contest award ceremony and certificate!

What else was there: Dieter S.c.h.a.d.o.w.s.k.i distributed a very special beer on Sunday: Tannenzäpfle from the Black Forest. Delicious! Guido H.a.n.n.i.c.h und Kumpanen gave me a very special present: for organising the VetCup, he presented me with an old Kuwahara cruiser frame on the starting hill, white with new stickers. I was gobsmacked!!! Thank you so much! Guido: You're crazy, but an extremely nice guy! I'll cherish the bike and will definitely be at the start next year with it completely rebuilt! I promise! And then we'll ride the 14th VetCup together in the same heat, I'll arrange it.

Guido H.a.n.n.i.c.h hands me the white Kuwahara cruiser! In the background the special run of the 8 oldschoolers with the best bikes and clothes

To conclude, I really enjoyed the Veterans' Cup 2007. I met lots of nice people again, had lots of nice conversations and experienced great racing scenes. The best thing of all is sitting on a bike again and racing round a track. Strange but true: somehow you never quite forget how to do it. Next year we will be organising the Veterans' Cup again, for the 14th time. Unbelievable! I would be delighted to see you all again then. We will be holding the VetCup 2008 on Saturdays so that we have more time to chat in the evening. There will also be a great supporting programme with lots of surprises. So prepare yourselves and check our website from time to time: as soon as we know the date, we will announce it here.

See you next year, bye, your Ralf