Biography of Rudi Altig

Rudi Altig (born 18 March 1937 in Mannheim; died 11 June 2016 in Remagen) was a German track and road racing cyclist. He won the 1962 Vuelta a España, the 1964 Tour of Flanders, the road race at the 1966 World Championships at the Nürburgring and Milan-Sanremo in 1968. On the track he became world champion three times in individual pursuit.

Mannheim and track cycling

Altig grew up in Mannheim and entered cycling through the Endspurt Mannheim club. His brother Willi Altig also raced. Rudi Altig first became strong on the track: in 1959, 1960 and 1961 he won the world title in individual pursuit. These successes showed his particular mixture of power, speed and endurance, which later also became visible on the road.

Moving to the road

As a professional, Altig connected track and road racing more closely than many riders of later generations. In 1962 he won the Vuelta a España and wore the yellow jersey at the Tour de France in the same year. He won stages at the Tour, the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta. This range made him a rider able to combine time trials, sprints, classics and stage races.

Classics and world championship

In 1964 Altig won the Tour of Flanders. A year later he finished second at the road world championship. On 28 August 1966 he won the world road race title at the Nürburgring ahead of Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor. The race took place in Germany and shaped his public position in cycling. In 1966 he was also named Germany's Sportsman of the Year.

Milan-Sanremo and later career

In 1968 Altig won Milan-Sanremo. He remained present in international racing in the late 1960s, including stage wins and appearances at the Tour de France. His active career ended in 1971. He then worked as a directeur sportif, for a time as national coach and later as a television commentator. His manner remained direct, sometimes sharp, but usually close to the experience of a rider who knew track and road racing from practice.

Illness and death

Rudi Altig died in Remagen on 11 June 2016 from cancer. He was 79 years old. His career connected track world titles, victories in road races such as the Tour of Flanders and Milan-Sanremo, and later work as a television voice explaining races to viewers.