The first Czech professional cyclist

The German Czech Kudela was a star of the new sport of professional cycling.

Which cyclist has not heard of the legendary Jaroslav Cihlář, the best post-war sprinter?! But who knows Emanuel Kudela, a racing ace in sprint cycling, a tandem rider and, of course, a native of Teplice?

Kudela was born on 26th July 1876. He was a trader’s apprentice, but at the age of 19 he began to pursue modern cycling, first road cycling and then indoor cycling. He was particularly successful on the tandem, paired with the German riders Oskar Peter and Paul Mündner, or the American Woody Hedspath.

Kudela died from the consequences of an injury on 22nd September 1920, during a race at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. Many people have forgotten about him, not only because he is buried in Berlin instead of Teplice, but also because we consider him to be a German. On 26th July, Emanuel Kudela would have celebrated his 139th birthday.