The aggressive "Le Loup" entity.
Rolf Wolfshohl, esteemed in Germany and cherished in France, has passed away at 85 years old. He represented the last German cycling legend from the glorious '60s, having donned the coveted yellow jersey during the Tour de France among other achievements.
As a true workaholic and believer in effort, Wolfshohl eschewed the flashy persona of modern-day stars, preferring instead to let his performance speak for itself. Humble and understated, he rode into the sunset facing an untimely demise on Wednesday this week. Known as "Le Loup," or 'the wolf,' by his French admirers, they mourned his loss just as deeply as the Germans.
With Wolfshohl's passing, notables like Juan Kelly and Anquetil, along with multiple Paris-Nice and Vuelta a España winners, depart from the cycling world. Since the demise of Rudi Altig in 2016, Karl-Heinz Kunde in 2018, and more recently Hennes Junkermann in 2022, we are left to remember them through antiquated books and grainy black-and-white footage.
A Competitor Par Excellence
According to Angermann, "There was a biter, a fighter, an attacker – simply a racer born with passion. The French adored this 'newspaper’s dream' who outpaced all nine," in a passage from "The Dream of the Yellow Jersey." Henceforth, Wolfshohl carved his niche as the relentless contender who personified the never-say-die attitude.
During the 1968 Tour de France, Wolfshohl held the yellow jersey for two days before tumbling off and enduring an agonizing wait for a substitute bike. Though he eventually placed sixth, this result marked the pinnacle of his nine illustrious Tour de France appearances between 1960 and 1971. Wolfshohl was renowned for riding alongside cycling giants like Poulidor and Anquetil in French teams.
The French waxed sentimental about Wolfshohl, forgiving, if not even relishing, his habitual near-misses in major victories, such as his finishing second in Milan-San Remo or Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Wolfshohl: Love and Loss
Wolfshohl reciprocated the affection, charmed by the French people's laid-back demeanor. "The calmness of the French captivated me; they stir something in me, they have a part of me," he confessed, admitting to having a penchant for France's culture. During his career, Wolfshohl considered swapping Germany for Provence, had his marital status been any different.
Although Wolfshohl's life was not without darkness, he was twice suspended for doping in 1968 and had a tumultuous post-retirement. Heartbreak struck his family as well, with his son, also a cyclist, suffering a severe injury in 1984 before succumbing to neck paralysis at the age of 51. Tragedy also visited Wolfshohl's daughter early.
In his later years, he experienced declining health and dreamt of an extraordinary feat at the age of 100. Instead, the golden generation has been reunited in the afterlife.
Despite his impressive cycling career, Rolf Wolfshohl often found himself just short of major victories, such as finishing second in Milan-San Remo and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. His love for France and its people remained unwavering, and he often contemplated swapping Germany for Provence.
The loss of Rolf Wolfshohl leaves a gap in the world of cycling, particularly in Germany and France, where he was deeply cherished. His legacy lives on through his incredible accomplishments on the racetrack, such as his two-day stint wearing the yellow jersey during the 1968 Tour de France.
