He was the first winner of pro race Rudi Altig Race – this year, Paul Voss will slow down a bit for a good cause. The distance will increase considerably, however.
Paul Voss has only recently declared his retirement from pro racing. The winner of the first Rudi Altig race that premiered last year at Rad am Ring, is nevertheless still attracted by road racing. He will indulge in this passion at this year’s event as a member of charity team Ledschends. After all, the racetrack is far too special not to ride it again: “There are many fast bends and short, steep climbs”, Voss remembers from his 2016 race. “The course actually being a motor sport race track provides a very special situation. The tarmac, e.g., is flawless and faster.”
This knowledge will certainly be of advantage in the 24h bike race. Tough the former pro’s focus clearly is on “having fun and supporting the project ’Hilfsgruppe Eifel – Hilfe für krebskranke Kinder e.V.’“ this time, he’d surely be glad to win once again at the Ring. Speaking of glad: He is still very pleased to be the rider whose name got engraved on the roll of honor at Nürburgring as the first winner of Rudi Altig race. “It means a lot to me. It is an honor to be perpetuated on this roll“, says Voss who has meanwhile come to support young riders with his own “Paul Voss Development Team“ and as sports director of team Wiggins to that also some U23 riders belong to. “I want to show them the upsides as well as the downsides of this sport“, he says. “And I want to create structures in which young athletes can take their time to develop.“
Also former motor sport pro and Rad am Ring regular Manuel Reuter wants to initiate some development in the youngsters he will bring to Nürburging in July. Together with young drivers in the motor sport categories Formula 3, Formula 4 and DTM who are members of the Deutsche Post initiative “Speed Academy“ that supports young talents, he will participate in a team of eight in our 24 hour classic. “I want the lads to leave their comfort zone“, explains Reuter who noticed enormous ambition in the young motor sport-turned-cycle sport athletes that participated in last year’s event. “Of course it would be great if we made it among the top 10 or top 15 this year, but the most important thing is to finish unharmed and think outside the motor sport box for once.“
The 24h bike race is the heart of Rad am Ring and will start on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 22 minutes past noon.
For further information on this event, please visit our website at www.radamring.de
About Rad am Ring
Rad am Ring is a cycling event which has taken place at Nürburgring since 2003. The course leads through the very modern Formula 1 arena and over the legendary Nordschleife. Highlights are the 24h races on the traffic-free, partly lit race course and the team quarters in the pit lane. Furthermore, in 2017 Rudi Altig Race, a pro race of UCI category 1.1 will take place for the second time. Besides the ultra- and the long-distance event several amateur races, a time trial, for the first time a mountain bike marathon and some bike rides without timekeeping are held at 2017 Rad am Ring. The amateur races are part of German Cycling Cup, Germany's largest series of amateur cycle races.
09.05.2017