The 100th edition of the classic Rund um Köln will again start in Cologne on June 12, 2016. Organizer Artur Tabat made the announcement yesterday. "We wanted to mark our 100th edition with a special highlight and the pros will again start in Cologne. All sports fans can look forward to a great cycling festival along the shores of the Rhine," said 73-year-old Tabat who has organized in cooperation with  Verein Cölner Straßenfahrer 08 since 1973.

During the past 16 years, Leverkusen, Reichshof, Hückeswagen and finally Gummersbach have hosted the start of Germany's oldest one-day race whose first edition was held 107 years ago. Tabat added that he could easily imagine again to let Rund um Köln start outside the cathedral city in the future.

To mark the anniversary, Tabat and technical director Alexander Donike plan a two-day celebration in Cologne Rheinauhafen on June 11 and 12. This also includes the cyclosportive which already has 700 participants. Donike expects a total of around 5,000 starters.