Rolf Wolfshohl

Rolf Wolfshohl takes up a special place in the history of cyclo-cross. Not only because of his impressive roll of honour, but also because he fought with the best cyclo-cross riders from different generations. Wolfshohl pressed André Dufraisse hard, repeatedly fought hard with Renato Longo for the rainbow jersey, witnessed the rise of Erik de Vlaeminck and even battled together with Albert Zweifel. Rolf Wolfshohl was one of the few German professional cyclists who gave German cycling some international prestige after the second World War. Not only was he one of the best cyclo-cross riders of the world for years, but the rider from Cologne also held his own ground on the road and the winter track.
In 1954, the 15-year-old Rolf Wolfshohl won his first race in Cologne. It was the beginning of a spectacular cycling career of an all-round athlete. In 1956 he became the German youth champion and from 1957 on he was also very successful in cyclo-cross racing. His trainer Jupp Arents encouraged him to start training in the woods during winter. That year he became second in the German cyclo-cross championships, but one year later he already took over the hegemony. From 1958 until 1973 he became German cyclo-cross champion 14 times. The man from Cologne also attracted much attention internationally. From 1957 until 1973 he took part in the world championships fifteen times and won a medal twelve times. On three occasions he could put on the rainbow jersey.
In 1960 he won his first world title in the Spanish Tolosa. Approximately 40,000 enthusiastic Basques cheered on the young German on his way to the rainbow jersey. Initially, Renato Longo and the Swiss Arnold Hungerbühler set the pace. The pair took a small lead, but halfway through the race Rolf Wolfshohl took over the initiative. Longo hung his head and could not do anything against the quick breakaway of the 21-year-old German. One year later, Wolfshohl could defend his world title in his own country. In Hanover, a custom-made track had been constructed for him, which had to be made heavier at the last moment on the instructions of the UCI representatives. It only made Rolf Wolfshohl laugh, because the West German was in excellent shape. Swiftly he conquered all obstacles and when in the second last lap Renato Longo made a dangerous comeback he simply increased his pace. One year later, Wolfshohl could not properly defend his title in the Luxemburg Esch sur Alzette. He was as sick as a dog that day. Nevertheless, he did arrive at the start, but he did not reach the finish. In 1963, in the French Calais Rolf Wolfshohl won his third and last world title. In the dunes of Calais the riders were presented with a very fast track with only a few running intervals. The biggest part of the track could be covered on the bicycle and that was of course to the advantage of Wolfshohl, who could also hold his own ground as a road racer. With the Frenchmen Maurice Gandolfo and André Foucher and the Belgian Roger de Clercq in his wake, Wolfshohl realised a gap in the first lap already. Titleholder Renato Longo could do nothing against the German's opening offensive, but made sure that he did not lose second place. He finished one minute and twenty seconds behind Wolfshohl. In the following years, Rolf Wolfshohl focused more and more on his road activities, because that is where the big bucks could be earned. To him, cyclo-cross was nothing more than a nice "job on the side", which he used to keep in shape during the winter. He built a nice roll of honour on the road, but during the winter he always fell a bit short when competing against the specialised cyclo-cross riders. Nevertheless, after the world championships he was on the stand almost every year. In his career, Wolfshohl ended in second place six times during the international title race and in third place four times. In 1968 he had to return his silver medal after the dope test found stimulants in his urine.
After his career, Rolf Wolfshohl set up a good bicycle shop. He markets racing bicycles under this own name and he also has a frequently visited race specialist shop, where his Rowona (Rolf Wolfshohl Natürlich) bicycles are sold as well. Annually, he sells approximately one thousand racing bicycles of his own brand. As a coach of young German cyclo-cross riders he has never lost touch with his beloved sport.

http://www.wkveldrijden2006.nl/html/EN/historie_wkhelden12.asp
©2002-2023 Museo del Ciclismo Associazione Culturale ONLUS - C.F.94259220484 - info@museociclismo.it - Tutti i diritti riservati

I dati inseriti in archivio sono il risultato di una ricerca bibliografica e storiografica di Paolo Mannini (curatore dell'Archivio). Le fonti utilizzate sono svariate (giornali, libri, enciclopedie, siti internet, archivi digitali e frequentazioni sui vari Forum inerenti il ciclismo). Chiunque desideri contribuire alla raccolta dei dati, aggiunta di materiale da pubblicare o alla correzione di errori può farlo mettendosi in contatto con Paolo Mannini o con la Redazione.

Preferenze Cookies - Privacy Policy