Torgau mourns: cycling legend Günter-Werner Klaus died!

Torgau mourns: cycling legend Günter-Werner Klaus died!

Torgau, Deutschland - On June 30, 2025, the former cycling coach Günter-Werner Klaus died, just a few days before his 86th birthday. The trainer, which was well known in the East German cycling scene, who was often referred to as "black", had a burning interest in cycling until the end. IMaginations are complex, but in this case one thing is clear: Klaus leaves a large gap in the Torgaus cycling community. His life path was drawn by a serious Parkinson's disease, which, however, could not take the fun of sport-he always remained informed about the events in cycling about television programs and newspaper reports.

Günter-Werner Klaus lived in Torgau and trained cyclists at the BSG locomotive Torgau and later at TSV Blau-Weiß Torgau until 2005. Under his care, numerous talents emerged that were not only delegated at GDR sports schools, but also achieved international successes. The outstanding athletes include names such as Simona Höfig, Virginia Hennig and the Rieger brothers. As a result, the BSG locomotive in the 60s and 70s became a real cycling stronghold in the GDR, which underlines the importance of Klaus. No wonder that his death marks the end of an era in Torgau cycling.

a legacy in the community

Cycling has a long tradition in Torgau, which Klaus has significantly shaped. Many talents have developed from his ranks, including his daughter Annett, who trained at the sports school in Gera from 1984 to 1989. Klaus' family is also active in sports; His grandchildren, Sophie and Manuel, show with their commitment that the sport and the values for which he will be on live.

Klaus was particularly pleased with the revival of the Torgau cycling by the Continental team "Team Isaac Torgau". On September 11, a meeting of former cyclists from the BSG Lokomotive Torgau will take place in Torgau, to which Klaus’s former protégés such as Thomas and Andreas Rieger and Mario Steinich will also take part. The reason for the gathering is the Sparkassen-Heideradcup, which will be held here for the first time. The cycling friends have to share countless stories from their active time, including the bronze place at the GDR championship in team time trial in 1975-thanks to the solid training methods that Klaus had introduced.

The change in German cycling

Cycling in the GDR was strongly shaped by a state -organized competitive sport. In the course of the turn and subsequent reunification, there were fundamental changes. The framework conditions for athletes changed drastically. The state deficit in the GDR caused care deficiencies, and the need for racing bikes also increased rapidly. Before opening the wall, the sport in which the GDR was internationally leaders was fiery: The DTSB and the sports administration planned reforms, which, however, often insufficiently taken into account the needs of the athletes.

A change in the values and priorities has become visible. While the training and promotion of talents was captured in the GDR, sport in the Federal Republic focused on popular sports. After the turn, critical voices from the reference basis called for more extensive developments and democratization of the sports system, which are still necessary to repeat the success of yore.

This is how the memory of Günter-Werner Klaus remains alive and will continue to shape the Torgau cycling community. His work and commitment to the next generation are a valuable part of the history of cycling in the region. Klaus, who preserved a great passion for cycling until his last days, will live on in the hearts of his students and the community.