Biography of Andreas Kappes

Andreas Kappes (born 23 December 1965 in Bremen; died 31 July 2018 in Cologne) was a German cyclist on road and track. He won professional races, rode for West Germany at the 1984 Olympic Games and later became a familiar name in European Six Day racing.

Bremen and early racing

Kappes came from a cycling family; his father Werner Kappes was also a racing cyclist. Andreas Kappes found his way to the track early. In 1983 he won the junior world title in the points race. One year later he started in the road race at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Those early years already showed the range that would later define his career: track, road, sprinting, endurance and tactical sense.

Road

As a professional, Kappes raced on the road from 1987. He won a stage of the Giro d'Italia in 1988 and took victories at Paris-Nice, the Tour de Suisse, the Deutschland Tour and other stage races. In 1991 he won the Belgian semi-classic Omloop Het Volk. Kappes was not a pure sprinter; his results sat between fast finishes, stage racing and one-day races.

Track and Six Day racing

On the track, Kappes built a second career. He won German titles, rode many Madison and points races and became especially associated with Six Day events. In 122 starts he won 24 Six Day races, 13 of them together with Belgian rider Etienne De Wilde. That required speed, rhythm, partner work and the ability to stay focused across several nights.

After racing

After the end of his professional career, Kappes remained in cycling. He worked as a sports director, supported younger riders and was connected with events such as the Tour de Neuss. He therefore stayed part of a scene in which former professionals pass on experience, contacts and race knowledge.

Cologne

Andreas Kappes died in Cologne on 31 July 2018 after an allergic reaction to an insect bite followed by heart failure. He was 52 years old. His name remains connected with the link between road cycling and track cycling, especially with Six Day races that defined riders through pace, timing and endurance.