Any German road racers out there? Advice needed

Racing
1

I’ve just moved to Berlin and looking to get stuck in to some road races and crits this summer. Can anyone help me understand the race categories?

I know I can’t get a licence without joining a team. I think there are three categories I can race in. Can someone tell me the difference between these three?

Hobby
Amateur
Jedermann (Everybody)

2

Amateur races - you need a license (e.g. join a club (“Verein”).

Jedermann races - these are often Gran Fondos (“Radmarathons”). License-holders and non-license holders can start. However, only Cat C Amateurs/license holders can start. Cat A and B not. These races do not have to follow the National Cycling Federation’s (BDR) rules. Organizers can do what they want.

Hobby races - “normal” road races and crits. Only non-license holders. Races have to meet the National Cycling Fed’s requirements.

From a participant’s perspective Jedermann and Hobby is the same. Race characters are often different. I don’t know how good your German is but here you’ll find a proper definition:

Point #12
https://www.rad-net.de/html/verwaltung/reglements/wb-strasse_5-2018.pdf

3

Amazing. Thank you for your help sryke.

Any other tips I should know?

4

I just started a thread about this here:

If you have a UCI license, you should be able to use that for licensed races. I looked this up and for USACycling that license is about $200. Not sure if that’s better than membership fees + license and the medical that German athletic federations tend to require.

5

I forgot to say, we should ride once I get to Berlin in August!

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In Germany a medical is only required for getting a license when you are a junior or above 60 or 65 or so (don’t know the exact age).

I race a lot in Italy - I live as South as it gets in Germany - these medical certificates are always a p-i-a, quite bureaucratic there but they have a great racing scene there.

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Im going to try some Hobby or Jedermann races and see what it’s like, and maybe join a club later in the season. My UK licence has expired so would have to buy a new one. Might as well look to get a new German one.

ds84 - thanks for the link. Some good info in your post too. Give me a message later in the year and I can help you with whatever info I have learnt. I’ve raced a cat 4 crit in NY before so I have an idea of the standard in the US. And of course would love to go for a ride once you are out here!

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That checks out. Haven’t lived in Germany long-term since high school. :slight_smile: