Former cycling star Hans "Hennes" Junkermann is dead. According to his long-time partner Annelie Zajec, the professional, who was particularly successful nationally and internationally in the 1960s, died on Monday in Krefeld at the age of 87.
"Hennes had been ill for some time," Zajec told the German Press Agency. Born on 6 May 1934 in St. Tönis near Krefeld, Junkermann was a professional cyclist between 1955 and 1973. Alongside Rudi Altig, Karl-Heinz Kunde and Rolf Wolfshohl, he was one of the most famous German riders in the 60s.
In addition to his overall victories in the Tour de Suisse in 1959 and 1962, he also took part in the Tour de France eight times. He finished in the top ten overall four times and came fourth in 1960. Junkermann also won 15 German championship titles on the track and road.
The 1962 Tour de France, when Junkermann had the best chance of winning the overall title, is particularly memorable. He had to give up due to fish poisoning. He became famous for saying at the time: "I wish I hadn't eaten the fish."
After the end of his career, he worked successfully as a coach and team leader at RSV City Neuwied and later at RC Olympia Dortmund. There he coached Rolf Aldag and Erik Zabel, among others. Junkermann continued to cycle into old age, but in recent years he increasingly struggled with health problems.
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