Things are looking up again. Many adults who grew up in the former GDR will still remember the fanfare of the Peace Race. Every year in May, the biggest cycling race in the communist world led through Poland, Czechoslovakia, and, of course, the GDR. For over a week, the heroes of the road , as riders like Täve Schur, Bernhard Eckstein, Olaf Ludwig, and Uwe Ampler were known, dominated the front pages and sports sections of the daily newspapers.
With the turnaround 25 years ago, however, the gradual decline of the traditional tour began, which in its late years formed drivers like Jens Voigt and Steffen Wesemann, who is the lone record holder with five overall victories. After a total of 59 editions, the Friedensfahrt ended in 2006. Since then, there have been several rumors and efforts to revive the race. However, the sequel will only become reality this year.
The revival is closely linked to Jozef Regec, a Czech with an active racing career of his own, who jumped at the chance to secure the rights to the race. This all comes after the failed efforts of Czech coal magnate Zdenek Bakala, who also owns Team Omega Pharma-QuickStep, last year.
Speaking to radsport-news.com, Regez stated: “ The race will definitely take place this year. We start on May 1st in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, and finish on May 6th in Sucha Beskidzka, Poland.” The exact route is not yet known. However, it is certain that the tour's well-known logo, the Picasso dove, will not be used again.