Our summer of events at the Mütze is entering the next round. We'll once again be guests both in front of and behind the scenes at Düsseldorf's biggest cycling spectacle since the Grand Départ. The 54th edition of Rund um die Kö will be based on the race program from last year, with some minor changes. And just like last year, Rund um die Kö won't be limited to just one Sunday; it'll kick off on Thursday with a kick-off at main sponsor sipgate, plus rides and other activities. Details will be published on the Rund um die Kö website in the coming days. Sign up for the newsletter here to stay up to date.

#supportyourlocalcyclingrace

Registration is a good keyword when it comes to Rund um die Kö: please register for the races promptly. For us as part of the organizing crew, who have been working intensively on the implementation of the cycling day over the past few months, the size and registration numbers of the individual races are important for our organization.

Link to registration for the races

In recent years, we at Mütze have advocated for race formats for women and children, as well as for participatory formats such as cargo bike and folding/folding bike races, because it is important to us to make the necessary mobility transition visible on Königsallee. The day is too short to hold races without a response, so all of these formats will only work in the long term if there are appropriate starting fields. A race by the community for the community is important to us, so we are delighted to welcome new supporters to the organizing team, as well as the broad voluntary support of the event from volunteers. Here we can see that the work of the entire dedicated team is appreciated and that Rund um die Kö is an important fixture not only for the local cycling scene.

The cycling industry has suffered considerably in recent years due to the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, a fact that is also evident in the level of involvement in events. Major events like the Tour de France have long since recovered from their slump, and the ongoing road bike boom is turning these flagship events into important multipliers of the cycling lifestyle. While we have great respect for everyone involved, we can only repeatedly appeal for more support for local events around the world that cater to young talent and show kids at the barriers that cycling is cool. Cycling is a sport with little distance from the active athletes; you're quickly in the middle of the action, especially at Rund um die Kö. We ourselves noticed how quickly enthusiasm can spread last year at one of the closed crossings, when visitors from the Middle East were initially slightly annoyed because they couldn't leave the inner area during the elite race due to the high speeds and the long field. But within a few minutes, the women were standing inside the curve with their cell phones, enthusiastically filming the drivers who flew past the barriers at high speed, just 5 centimeters away.

Precisely such situations only arise locally; they make cycling visible outside of one's own bubble and showcase the fun, thrill, and spectacle inherent in the sport. Local cycling events are organized everywhere by positively crazy people with a passion that no one can afford. But there will always be areas that need funding, and this is where companies and municipal institutions need to provide support. 

Our thanks go to everyone who has made Rund um die Kö possible, both now and in recent years. We were able to contribute our network, our expertise, and our enthusiasm, which is certainly important, but without the extensive support of many volunteers and the professional work of the supporting companies, an event of this magnitude would never have been possible.

We hope to welcome you all to Königsallee. Come along and show that you care about local cycling events. If you don't want to participate yourself, cheer on the race starters and create the positive atmosphere that an event like Rund um die Kö needs.

#goodcleanfamilyentertainment

In addition to the numerous races, this year's event will once again offer a setting for the whole family and friends. Our DJs Martin Schneider and Michael Scheibenreiter will deliver a fitting mix of cycling in fast-paced sounds, while exhibitors, food trucks, and a classic car market for collectors await you. In addition to the winners' awards, there will be numerous cycling-related discussions on stage, so boredom shouldn't arise even on a long day... And at our hat stand, you'll find beautiful bikes, stylish hats and socks, the highly sought-after Rund um die Kö merchandise, and much more.

You can find more about the program, the link to the registration form and everything else here on the Rund um die Kö website.

And if you'd like to become part of the volunteer team,please sign up here . As a thank you, you can look forward to another fantastic ride around the Kö Jersey and experience Düsseldorf's cycling event from a different perspective.

See you, hopefully not until August 10th…

#königsallez