The original Peace Race (Preteky mieru / Wyścig Pokoju / Friedensfahrt / Course de la Paix / Peace Race) was the largest amateur cycling race in Eastern Europe after the 2nd World War. It took place from 1948, and as a rule across Poland and Czechoslovakia, whilst East Germany was added in the 1950s and the Soviet Union in the 1980s.
- In the years 1948–1951 the course ran between Warsaw and Prague.
- From 1952 the race travelled between Prague, Berlin and Warsaw. The start and finish cities alternated each year.
- After the fall of communism in 1989, the Peace Race was no longer sponsored by the state, and the organisers had problems raising the necessary funds.
- After 1993 the race was organised in the Czech Republic alone, although some stages did partially cross into Poland and Germany.
- Olaf Ludwig and Uwe Ampler were the most successful riders in the history of the race.
- The last edition of the race was held in 2006.
The modern history of the Peace Race
The first edition in the modern history of the race took place in 2013. National teams of U23 riders competed.
- The standard rose rapidly and since 2015 it has been part of the UCI Nations’ Cup U23.
- The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Stars of the current international peloton have previously competed in the race, such as Tadej Pogačer, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Julian Alaphilippe and Marc Hirschi.
Winners
2013 Toms Skujinš, Latvia
2014 Samuel Spokes, Australia
2015 Gregor Mühlberger, Austria
2016 David Gaudu, France
2017 Bjorg Lambrecht, Belgium
2018 Tadej Pogačar, Slovenia
2019 Andreas Leknessund, Norway
2020 race cancelled
2021 Filippo Zana, Italy
2022 Lennert Van Eetvelt, Belgium
