Anniversary & premiere - 20th Veterans Cup 2014 with 1st Oldschool BMX World Championship

Ready like never before! That was the slogan of the DFB (based on a large German automobile company) this year on the occasion of the Football World Cup in Brazil. And since, according to Jogi L.o.e.w., we have all become a bit world champions, I took this as an opportunity to organise this year's Veterans Cup for its 20th anniversary under the motto "World Cup". The aim was to be ready for a special "Anniversary Veterans Cup", in which, in addition to the usual prizes such as trophies, plates and certificates, world championship titles would also be awarded this time. Every winner, whether in the race classes (veteran or oldie class), in the beauty contest cruiser, race, freestyle, but also in the team challenge, received the title "OSBMX World Champion" in addition to the prizes. And it was under this motto that we fully kitted out the 2014 Veterans Cup: The shirt this year was reminiscent of that of the cycling world champions, as were the special gifts such as goggles, key rings, name badges, a cake, the medals, even the invitation to the Cup was designed accordingly.

In this context, I would like to thank all the people who have supported the Veterans' Cup this year with donations in kind and active help. First of all, I would like to thank Dieter S.c.h.a.d.o.w.s.k.i., who has been at our side for 18 years and has been instrumental in organising the beauty contest. His professional expertise in selecting the winners should be emphasised here, as well as the donation of prizes, certificates and ribbons. Many thanks Dieter and please keep up the good work, and a big thank you to Dirk H.a.y.n.b.e.r.g., a very close and long-standing friend of mine. He came up with the idea of having glasses made for this special event, as well as lanyards and name badges, all in the special design of this year's T-shirts! A great idea, especially because he provided everything free of charge. Dear Dirk, thank you very much for this campaign, I've been using the glasses ever since! Uwe B.u.r.d.a.c.k. was also very generous again, providing the trophies this year as in previous years. And for this anniversary cup, he even provided particularly large ones with ribbons etc. I give you credit for supporting us again this year, Uwe, thank you very much! A great gesture also came from Guido N.e.u.m.a.n.n. who, in addition to the standard plates (black with white numbers), this time designed very special plates in Haro Group 1 style with the special inscription "20th Anniversary Veteranencup 1995 - 2014". These were given to the finalists in the veteran class. Thank you Guido for your commitment in this matter! To ensure that the physical well-being is right, it is now almost a welcome tradition that Thomas G.r.e.i.s. provides a cake. As a master confectioner, he is not only able to create magnificent sweet treats, but he also always makes something special out of them by coming up with something suitable for the respective Veterans' Cup every year. This year he took my motif from the World Championships and creatively realised it in a cake, and there were also small "cakes on a stick" with BMX print. A great thing that went down really well with the people. Many thanks Thomas and please keep up the good work!

Jürgen W.a.g.n.e.r. is also to be thanked this year. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, he designed and built two gigantic trophies, which contained a number of BMX parts such as cranks, rims etc.. After careful consideration, Jürgen and I awarded these two trophies to two veterans who have rendered great services to the Veterans Cup in recent years. You can find out who they were in the report below. At this point, many thanks to Jürgen for his spontaneous initiative to make and donate these trophies in many hours!

How did the 20th Veterans Cup work? After successfully registering by 13:30, the veterans first had the course to themselves for 90 minutes to familiarise themselves intensively. This was very helpful as it prevented some crashes in the later race. In addition, some veterans who were only onlookers at the races were still able to complete a few laps without any great risk and under competitive conditions. The heats for the two race categories, veterans and oldies, then began at 16:30. Only veterans with bikes and clothing from the 80s and 90s are allowed to start in the veteran class, while racers with bikes from the years 2000+ and modern clothing can start in the veteran class. This time we had 14 starters in the veteran class in two pre-race groups at the gate and 24 oldies in four pre-race groups. The 3 preliminary rounds were completed with short breaks, followed by 2 semi-finals in the oldies class. From around 18:30, the finals of both classes were held. The entire organisation around the race ran smoothly, which was a great achievement for the experienced team around TSV Braunshardt and the other officials.

Race pictures heats

Fortunately, there are also moving pictures on the net. Here are some videos to choose from:

Films of the Oldie class heats:

Films heats veteran class

Race pictures semi-final oldie class

Film semi-final oldie class

As every year, there were many oldies in Weiterstadt who didn't ride themselves but enjoyed the Veterans' Cup from the sidelines. These included the former BMX cruiser world champion Alexander B.o.h.n.e.n.s.t.e.n.g.e.l., Holger G.e.y.e.r., Michaela W.e.n.z.e.l./M.a.c.h.e.t.a.n.z. (on her birthday!), Gerrit D.o.e.s., Heidi M.i.r.i.s.o.l.a. (formerly Hutch-Factory USA), Andreas E.d.l., Jens L.i.n.d.e.r., Jürgen T.i.s.s.m.e.r., Ralf F.r.u.e.c.h.t.l., Dirk H.a.y.n.b.e.r.g., Thomas R.o.h.n.k.e., Ivi V.i.d.a.k.o.v.i.c. and many more.

This time there were many winners, the details can be read in short form under the race results. Below is a list of all the results: Veteran class: 1st Daniel V.e.l.t.e.n, 2nd Torsten H.a.f.n.e.r, 3rd Thorsten C.o.r.n.i.l.s, 4th Ralf M.a.n.g.o.l.d, 5th Steffen S.a.e.n.g.e.r, 6. Giovanni V.e.c.c.h.i.o, 7. Olaf K.l.e.i.n, 8. Mark A.n.t.o.n.y Oldie class: 1. Ralf M.a.u.r.i.t.z, 2. Holger G.o.d.a.u, 3. Nino N.a.g.e.l, 4. Sven S.t.u.e.b.n.e.r, 5. Jürgen W.a.g.n.e.r, 6. Michael B.a.l.i.n.t, 7. Hamdi A.b.b.a.s, 8. Stefan U.h.l.s.c.h.m.i.d.t In the team classification, the following placings were achieved: 1st place Team "TSV Braunshardt" (Torsten H.a.f.n.e.r, Olaf K.l.e.i.n, Holger G.o.d.a.u, Giovanni V.e.c.c.h.i.o), 2nd place team "Bergy Team" (Uwe J.u.n.g, Christian K.e.e.s, Juergen W.a.g.n.e.r, Sven S.t.u.e.b.n.e.r), 3rd place team "Die Hollaender" (Nino N.a.g.e.l, Thomas G.r.e.i.s, Mark A.n.t.o.n.y), 4th place team "Fritten Express" (Michael B.a.l.i.n.t, Hagen S.t.r.u.n.k, Hamdi A.b.b.a.s), 5th place team "SE Racing Factory Team" (Guido H.a.n.n.i.c.h, Guido N.e.u.m.a.n.n, Oliver M.i.t.t.e, Stephan P.r.a.n.t.l) In the beauty contests, there was a huge selection of 60 bikes in the race bikes this time! The winners were: Beauty-Contest - Best of Bike Race: 1st Lothar K.a.s.p.r.c.y.k (Patterson Pro), 2nd Mark S.c.h.o.e.l.z.l (Schauff Anaconda), 3rd Markus S.t.o.e.c.k.l (Patterson Pro) Beauty-Contest - Best of Cruiser: 1st Joerg S.e.e (Torker Team Modell, 1981), 2nd Michael B.a.l.i.l (Torker Team Modell, 1981). Michael B.a.l.i.n.t (Revcore), 3. Reynaldo W.e.n.d.t (Redline PL 24) Beauty-Contest - Best of Freestyle: 1. Markus G.r.u.e.n.e.w.a.l.d (GT Performer, 1984), 2. Joerg S.e.e (Torker Freestylist, 1984), 3. Joerg S.e.e (Haro Master) Beauty-Contest - Best of Newcomer: 1. Olaf K.l.e.i.n (CW Pistol Pete), 2. Mario E.n.g.l.a.r.o (March Pro), 3. Joerg S.e.e (National Pro, 1982) Beauty-Contest - Best of Show: 1. Markus Gruenewald (Diamond Back Large Pro, 1979) King-of-Oldschool: 1. Marijus B.u.n.t.i.c (GT), 2nd Udo P.o.p.p.e (GT), 3rd Reynaldo W.e.n.d.t (Redline) The two special trophies for special services to the Veterans' Cup were presented by Jürgen W.a.g.n.e.r. (Husky Team). The unanimous decision of Jürgen and myself as to who should take home the trophies was made in favour of 12-time participant Uwe B.u.r.d.a.c.k. (for his support in terms of trophies) and 7-time participant Thomas G.r.e.i.s. (for his frequent cake donations).

Race pictures final veteran class 2014

Race pictures final oldie class 2014

Film final oldies class 2014

General film of the Veterans Cup 2014

Award ceremony veteran class 2014

Award ceremony oldies class 2014

Award ceremony team ranking 2014

What else is there to say: Fortunately, there were no serious crashes with serious injuries. Unfortunately, however, Oli M.i.t.t.e. went down during a pre-run, but apart from a few bruises he was not seriously injured. The worst thing about the fall is probably the major damage to his JT helmet, which he will hopefully be able to repair or replace soon. Fortunately, the weather had also played along. I had feared that, despite the early date at the end of August, it wouldn't be particularly dry this summer due to the poor weather forecast. But, as so often before, the sky over Weiterstadt held out and the clouds (apart from a small shower lasting 15 minutes) passed over the route.

In the evening, there was still plenty to listen to. A soda company from Austria, known for the two red bulls on their emblem, brought a cool car including a DJ to Weiterstadt and heated up the somewhat chilly evening in Weiterstadt. Great thing, we'll be back next year!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the old-schoolers who have come to the Veterans' Cup over the last 20 years. It is all of you who have made this event such a success with your great passion for BMX. TSV Braunshardt will continue the Veterans Cup by not letting this series event come to an end and by including it firmly in its annual racing calendar for Weiterstadt in the future. So look forward to seeing you again in 2015.

Ralf M.a.u.r.i.t.z.

P.S.: The photos in this report were kindly provided by Charlotte H.a.y.n.b.e.r.g, Thomas R.o.h.n.k.e and Ralf M.a.u.r.i.t.z

Results

20. Veteranencup (2014, Weiterstadt) mit Oldschool-Weltmeisterschaft

Veteranenklasse 1. Daniel V.e.l.t.e.n 2. Torsten H.a.f.n.e.r 3. Thorsten C.o.r.n.i.l.s 4. Ralf M.a.n.g.o.l.d 5. Steffen S.a.e.n.g.e.r 6. Giovanni V.e.c.c.h.i.o 7. Olaf K.l.e.i.n 8. Mark A.n.t.o.n.y
Oldieklasse 1. Ralf M.a.u.r.i.t.z 2. Holger G.o.d.a.u 3. Nino N.a.g.e.l 4. Sven S.t.u.e.b.n.e.r 5. Juergen W.a.g.n.e.r 6. Michael B.a.l.i.n.t 7. Hamdi A.b.b.a.s 8. Steffan U.h.l.s.c.h.m.i.d.t
Team-Wertung 1. Team "TSV Braunshardt" (Torsten H.a.f.n.e.r, Olaf K.l.e.i.n, Holger G.o.d.a.u, Giovanni V.e.c.c.h.i.o) 2. Team "Bergy Team" (Uwe J.u.n.g, Christian K.e.e.s, Juergen W.a.g.n.e.r, Sven S.t.u.e.b.n.e.r) 3. Team "Die Hollaender" (Nino N.a.g.e.l, Thomas G.r.e.i.s, Mark A.n.t.o.n.y) 4. Team "Fritten Express" (Michael B.a.l.i.n.t, Hagen S.t.r.u.n.k, Hamdi A.b.b.a.s) 5. Team "SE Racing Factory Team" (Guido H.a.n.n.i.c.h, Guido N.e.u.m.a.n.n, Oliver M.i.t.t.e, Stephan P.r.a.n.t.l)
King-of-Oldschool 1. Marijus B.u.n.t.i.c (GT) 2. Udo P.o.p.p.e (GT) 3. Reynaldo W.e.n.d.t (Redline)
Beauty-Contest - Best of Bike Race 1. Lothar K.a.s.p.r.c.y.k (Patterson Pro) 2. Mark S.c.h.o.e.l.z.l (Schauff Anaconda) 3. Markus S.t.o.e.c.k.l (Patterson Pro)
Beauty-Contest - Best of Cruiser 1. Joerg S.e.e (Torker Team Modell, 1981) 2. Michael B.a.l.i.n.t (Revcore) 3. Reynaldo W.e.n.d.t (Redline PL 24)
Beauty-Contest - Best of Freestyle 1. Markus G.r.u.e.n.e.w.a.l.d (GT Performer, 1984) 2. Joerg S.e.e (Torker Freestylist, 1984) 3. Jörg S.e.e (Haro Master)
Beauty-Contest - Best of Newcomer 1. Olaf K.l.e.i.n (CW Pistol Pete) 2. Mario E.n.g.l.a.r.o (March Pro) 3. Jörg S.e.e (National Pro, 1982)
Beauty-Contest - Best of Show 1. Markus Gruenewald (Diamond Back Large Pro, 1979)