Do you have to be a world champion, do you have to be a pioneer, to become a leading figure in sport – or, as they say, a legend?
No, you don’t. You just have to be human, and put your passion and heart into it. That is what Hans Born did for Indoor Cycling. He is the greatest. Even if the younger generation never had the chance to meet him in person. Hans is the absolute greatest when it comes to Indoor Cycling. Indoor Cycling in Germany – no, all over the world – would not be what it is today.
He achieved this with foresight, passion and love. In 1947, he joined the ARKB ‘Solidarität’ Worms. National titles were won in succession on the unicycle. The club was the most successful in Federation of Solidarität. Hans very quickly progressed from being an athlete to a coach and a forward-thinking official. Successes were also celebrated with his friends and family at the German Cycling Federation.For sporting reasons, the workers’ club became VfH Worms in 1968. His son Hans Jürgen was European Junior Champion in singles artistic cycling. Stefan, in the pairs, was a long-standing member of the German Nationalteam. However, the flagship of the VfH Worms were the 4-person and 6-person teams. Wouldn’t that alone be enough to rank him among the greats?
But there was something else that wouldn’t let him rest. As an official, he left an indelible mark. In the early 1970s, Hans became the national technical officer for the German Cycling Federation. From that position, he set the tone and provided impetus. Together with President Hangstein, he transformed Indoor Cycling on a global scale. The profile and recognition of Indoor Cycling needed to be improved. During his tenure, Indoor Cycling was regularly featured in the mainstream media. Broadcast coverage of German and World Championships was the norm.
He became secretary of the International Indoor Cycling Commission. Through his international connections, he forged links all over the world. Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Canada, Malaysia, Norway, Slovakia, South Africa, Ukraine, Hungary. Everywhere Hans found supporters and enthusiasts. With his calm, direct, yet never pushy manner, he convinced people to share his passion. German-French connections were a matter close to his heart from an early stage. Initially working frequently with his friend Laurent Wolff in Alsace, and later very closely with Paul Caborg in Balbigny and other clubs in the south of France One of his greatest achievements: the Cycling Training Centre in Ludwigshafen. This facility remains unrivalled to this day. Hans answered the call of the State Sports Federation, changedcareers and became director of this centre. He made it famous far beyond the borders of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany and Europe, reaching every corner of the cycling world.
The many activities surrounding Indoor Cycling needed to be formalised. This led to another necessary step. In 1993, he founded the ‘Förderverein Hallenradsport’ (Indoor Cycling World Wide) with a small group of trusted colleagues. This has since grown into an organisation spanning five continents, dedicated to fulfilling his lifelong ambition. Indoor Cycling must grow and become better known. From seven nations at the start of his work, Indoor Cycling is now practised in over 50 countries around the world.
Hans was born on 17 May 1933 in Worms. He also completed his education as a commercial clerk in Worms. In 1957, he married his wife Ruth. She supported him in his passion. Together they had three children, Hans-Jürgen, Stefan and Kirsten, she sadly passed away too soon. All three were and remain connected to artistic Cycling and the VfH; Jürgen and Stefan are still active as coaches.
Sadly, he left us forever on 13 May 2026. I am grateful to have found in Hans a patron and a fatherly friend. Thank you very much for what you gave to all of us Indoor cyclists.
Rolf Halter