Rainer PODLESCH

In 1968, cyclist Rainer Podlesch was a member of the West German pursuit team, but was injured after the quarter-final and replaced by Jürgen Kissner. The team then reached the pursuit final against Denmark. The Germans always led and the race looked over when, after 9 of 12 laps, a Danish rider went off the back. However, they re-grouped but still trailed at the bell. The German team then began to split, with Jürgen Kissner dropping off the pace. As his teammate Karl Heinz Henrichs passed him, Kissner’s hand appeared to touch him, possibly giving him a slight push. Germany held on to win by 3½ seconds, but Kissner was an East German defector and East Germany immediately protested that the touch had been an illegal shove. After a 15-minute conference among the judges, West Germany was disqualified, and Italy and the Soviet Union were announced as the silver and bronze medal winners. FRG officials then protested, stating that Italy and the Soviets should not be placed ahead of their riders. Another long conference ensued, and the result was announced as Denmark first and Italy third. No silver medal placement was given until a meeting of the Fédération Internationale Amateur de Cyclisme (FIAC, later the UCI) in November, when West Germany was awarded second place and their silver medals.

Rainer competed again at München four years later as a member of the West German 100 km time trial team, finishing 20th. In 1978 and 1983 he won the Motor-paced World Championships and also won three silver and three bronze medals. Until his retirement in 2013 he was the motor-pacing representative for the West German Cycling Association. Podlesch’s brother Karsten was also a cyclist and Rainer’s son Carsten became the last UCI World Motor-paced champion as an amateur in 1992, and was also the very last professional champion two years later.