Rudi Altig Photo Gallery
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Rudi Altig (born March 18, 1937) was one of the premier riders of the 1960s, excelling initially on the track but then having an extraordinary road career.
As an amateur in 1959 he became both German and World Pursuit Champion. In 1960 he turned pro and that year he won the World Professional Individual Pursuit Championship. He was on his way. He also started what would become a successful career as a six-day racer, eventually winning 22 six-days. He went on to win the 1962 Pursuit World Championship.
French rider and bike maker Raphaël Géminiani recognized Altig's extraordinary talent and advised him to take up road racing. Altig followed his advice and won the Vuelta a España in 1962. He also led the Tour de France that year for five days, winning the green points jersey.
Altig continued to win some of racing's most coveted and valued races, including the 1964 Tour of Flanders and the 1966 World Road Championship.
After retiring from racing he directed the Puch-Wolber team and then for five years worked as the German national coach and then as a television racing commentator.
Mr. Altig died June 11, 2016 of cancer.
Major victories:
- 1960, 1961: World Individual Pursuit championship
- 1962: Vuelta a España GC, Tour de France points
- 1964: Tour of Flanders
- 1966: World Road Race Championship, Tours of Piedmont, Tuscany
- 1968: Milano-San Remo
- 1970: Rund um den Henniger Turm
Professional Teams:
- 1959: Torpedo-Fichtel & Sachs
- 1960 -1961: Rapha-Gitane-Dunlop
- 1962 - 1964: St. Raphael
- 1965: Margnat-Paloma
- 1966 - 1967: Molteni
- 1968 - 1969: Salvarani
- 1970 - 1971: GBC-Zimba
Nicknames: Sacré Rudi, "The Mannheim Colossus"
Photos:
The final of the Leipzig World Championships individual pursuit competition, which Altig won.
A publicity shot of Altig, probably 1961
Altig, probably in 1962
Altig (left) with racing partner Hennes Junkermann in 1962 at the Berlin Sports Palance
Altig looking stylish in the 1962 Tour de France
Altig at the start of a race
Rudi Altig at stage 11 of the 1966 Giro d'Italia
Another shot of Altig at the 1966 Giro stage 11.
Rudi's brother Willi (on the left) was also and accomlished racer. Rudi is on the right.
Later that year Rudi Altig became world road champion
Some real horsepower in the photo (1966 or '67). From left, Tom Simpson, Jacques Anquetil, Altig and Eddy Merckx
The 1966 Zurich 6-Day. Sigi Renz (left) partnered with Altig (right).
1967 Paris-Roubaix. Altig leads Eddy Merckx through a corner.
Altig riding stage 16 of the 1968 Giro d'Italia
A 1968 or 1969 Altig trading card.
Rudi Altig riding the fourth stage of the 1969 Giro d'Italia
Altig even graced a postage stamp.
1971, just about at the end of Altig's racing career.
Rudi Altig and Felice Gimondi at the 2012 Giro di Lombardia. Oh, the stories they could tell....
Another shot of great old guys at the Giro di Lombardia. From the left, Ercole Baldini (winner of 1958 Giro, World Championships), Felice Gimondi (winner of the Tours of France, Italy and Spain, World Championship) and Altig