Berlin (AP) – The former cycling star Hans “Hennes” Junkermann is dead. The professional, who was particularly successful nationally and internationally in the 1960s, died on Monday at the age of 87 in Krefeld, according to his longtime partner Annelie Zajec.
“Hennes has been ill for a long time,” said Zajec of the German Press Agency. Born on May 6, 1934 in St. Tönis near Krefeld, Junkermann was a professional cyclist between 1955 and 1973. Along with Rudi Altig, Karl-Heinz Kunde and Rolf Wolfshohl, he was one of the best-known German drivers in the 1960s.
In addition to his overall victories in the Tour de Suisse in 1959 and 1962, he also took part in the Tour de France eight times. He finished in the top ten four times overall, and in 1960 he finished fourth. In addition, Junkermann won 15 German championship titles on the track and on the road.
The 1962 Tour de France is particularly memorable, when Junkermann had the best chance of overall victory. He had to give up because of fish poisoning. He became famous for his statement at the time: “I wouldn’t have mixed the fish if I didn’t jejesse.”
After the end of his career, he worked successfully as a trainer and team leader at RSV City Neuwied and later at RC Olympia Dortmund. There he looked after Rolf Aldag and Erik Zabel, among others. Junkermann continued to ride his bike into old age, but in recent years he has increasingly had to contend with health problems.