The cycling classic Around Cologne is moving into early summer! Starting in 2015, the oldest German one-day race will take place on the second Sunday in June. The two organizers Artur Tabat and Alexander Donike agreed on this last week with the representatives of the cities and municipalities involved.
"We are pleased that after many positive discussions with our municipal working group we have found a new date together", Tabat, who is organizing the cycling classic next Easter Monday for the 41st time, is relieved. “I would like to thank all the representatives of the cities and communities involved. So nothing stands in the way of the 100th staging of our beautiful cycling classic in June 2016. For our anniversary we want to celebrate a cycling festival in the whole region with lots of sunshine.”
The city administration of Bergisch Gladbach is also relieved about the new date. "I am very happy that the talks held in Gladbach's town hall have led to such a good solution," says Lutz Urbach, Mayor of Bergisch Gladbach, who initiated a positive result. Because especially around the famous castle ascent in Bensberg and in Bergisch Gladbach, there were always problematic overlaps with other events when finding dates.
Volker Weirich, head of the sports department in the city of Bergisch Gladbach and spokesman for the All about Cologne working group for the cities and municipalities, also welcomes the new date on the second Sunday in June. "Of course, I am very pleased that, in cooperation with the municipalities involved and the organizers, we were able to find a date for the second Sunday in June from 2015, which makes it possible for everyone involved to organize and hold the event without any problems, regardless of the weather.", explains Weirich. "The resulting elimination of competitive situations with other events makes it easier for all municipalities along the route, but also and especially for the citizens of the city of Bergisch Gladbach to visit this year's largest traditional sporting event in Bergisch Gladbach."
According to the decision of the working group, Rund um Köln will take place on the following dates in the coming years: June 14, 2015, June 12, 2016, June 11, 2017, June 10, 2018. Only in 2019 does the second Sunday in June stand out the Pentecost weekend, when many events are already taking place in the Bergisches Land. “We will of course find a solution for 2019 with everyone involved in good time. By moving the race day to June, we are ensuring significantly better framework conditions for the event.", knows the technical director of the classic bike, Alexander Donike. “Because in June we expect significantly warmer temperatures. In addition, we will meet the numerous demands and wishes of our many hobby drivers for a better date for the event.”