Klaus Bugdahl
Klaus Bugdahl (* November 24, 1934 in Berlin ) is a retired German racing cyclist. He is regarded as so far the most successful German driver in Six Days.
Sports career
Track racing
In the summer of 1956 Bugdahl reached its first major victory by winning the individual pursuit at the German amateur championships. In October of the same year he signed a professional contract with German team Fichtel & Sachs Shortly thereafter, he went to West Berlin with his Australian partner Reginald Arnold his first six-day race and finished fifth.
In his career lasting until 1978 Bugdahl denied 228 Six Days, of which he won 37. Most of his six-day races he competed with 27 appearances in Berlin, where most he won with nine victories. He played numerous races in Dortmund ( 21/4 victories) and in Zurich (20 /5). His partners included such prominent riders such as Eddy Merckx, Patrick Sercu, Rolf Wolf Hollow, Hennes Junker man, Rudi Altig, Dieter Kemper and Rik Van Steenbergen. His last six-day victory celebrated Bugdahl 1974 in Zurich with the Australian Graeme Gilmore. As a 43- year-old he drove in 1978 in Milan his last Six Days.
Even with the German railway Championships Bugdahl was successful. In 1957, he defended his title in the individual pursuit and from 1959 to 1964, he was four times German champion in two - team driving. In the same discipline he won in 1962, 1966 and 1972 European Championship.
Road race
In addition to his successful career path Bugdahl drove the same road race and was able to record eight wins. Already in his second pro season, he won the German Cup 1958 road confidently with a lead of 3:35 minutes. Previously, he had participated in the Road World Championships in 1957, but was eliminated early. 1958 Bugdahl denied his most successful World Cup, when he finished in tenth place. In total he participated in five Road World Championships, but was only the 1963 race by which he finished as the 31st. As success in stage races winning the Tour de l' Oise in 1959 and a stage win at the Tour de Suisse can be reported in 1963. In 1958 he started as a German road champion again in the Tour de France, but he ended prematurely. In the Tour de Suisse to Bugdahl could place twice: 1957 (35th ) and 1963 ( 9 ). The Germany tour in 1960, he finished in third place. Even as a 37- year-old was Bugdahl 1972 third in the German Road Championships.
Trivia
1963 could be Bugdahl in Wiesbaden down. After the end of his career as a cyclist, he worked as team leader to the German team Kotter 's Racing Team Directeur Sportif at the Frankfurt Six Days. Later he became a sales consultant at a cycling shop, representative for a sporting goods manufacturer and carers in cycling events.