Rund um Köln
Rund um Köln is a one-day road cycling race held in Cologne, typically taking place on the second Sunday in June since 2015, having previously been scheduled for Easter Monday. The race covers approximately 200 km, begins in the Rheinauhafen, and is classified as a UCI Europe Tour event at category 1.1. Its origins trace back to 1908, establishing it as the oldest continuously held German road race. The course crosses Cologne and the adjacent Rhineland, featuring long straight sections, short ascents, and a challenging cobbled climb leading to Bensberg Castle. Since the 1980s, the route has extended across the Rhine into the Bergisches Land, deviating from earlier paths that often followed the left bank toward the Eifel. Primarily an amateur event for a significant portion of the mid-20th century, it was reopened to professionals in 1990. Jan Ullrich garnered considerable attention for his solo victory in 2003 following a doping suspension. The event also features shorter, organized rides known as Velodom, allowing amateur cyclists to participate in a similar race-day atmosphere.
