Heidelberg mourns the death of cycling legend: Günter Haritz

Heidelberg mourns the death of cycling legend: Günter Haritz

On October 29, 2025, the cycling world suffered a significant loss: Günter Haritz, Olympic and world champion, has died at the age of 77. The Heidelberg native leaves behind a rich legacy in sport and beyond.

Born on October 16, 1948 in Heidelberg, Haritz developed into an outstanding athlete in track and road cycling. He celebrated his most notable successes in team pursuit. He became world champion in 1970 and 1973 and won the gold medal at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. This tournament remains legendary because Haritz was part of the “Gold Four” under national coach Gustav Kilian and left the competition behind with an impressive team performance.

A life for cycling

After the brilliant years of his active career, which ended in 1980, Günter Haritz continued his involvement in cycling. In 1981 he founded a successful bicycle specialist shop in Leimen, which quickly became a popular destination for cycling enthusiasts. This decision is a testament to his entrepreneurial skills, which helped him gain a foothold outside of competition.

Overall, Haritz can look back on a wealth of achievements. He won numerous national championship titles in various disciplines, including road racing, omnium and two-man team riding. For his achievements, he was awarded the Silver Laurel Leaf in 1972, Germany's highest sporting award. In 1973 he and the cycling team were voted “Team of the Year”.

A role model for many

The values ​​that Günter Haritz lived and conveyed go beyond his medals. Fairness, discipline and community were central to him. With his tireless commitment, he inspired many young athletes and leaves an important legacy. The cycling community has already expressed its deepest condolences to the family and acknowledged his great influence.

In addition to his Olympic achievements, it is noteworthy that Haritz also stood out for his professionalism and success in six-day races. He competed in a total of 83 of these races and won 11 of them, often alongside well-known cyclists such as René Pijnen and Patrick Sercu. These successes have made him a respected figure in the cycling scene.

Günter Haritz will be remembered as a leading figure in German cycling, who impressed not only with his achievements on the track and road, but also with the passion with which he lived the sport. We are convinced that his life's work will continue to inspire many generations.