The 2026 German Long-Track National Team: Why it is the way it is

He is frustrated and feels let down by some people. We are talking about Jörg Tebbe, who has been team manager of the German national long-track cycling team since last year. When he took on this role, he actually thought he was on safe ground: Germany, for decades the country with the world’s best long-track riders, which has produced long-track world champions in droves and, not without reason, leads the Longtrack of Nations medal table unchallenged with ten (out of a possible 17) titles. That won’t change in 2026 either. However, the likelihood of adding an eleventh title this year is very slim.

“At the start of 2026, my squad consisted of Erik Riss, Lukas Fienhage, Daniel Spiller, Stephan Katt, Martin Smolinski, Dominik Werkstätter, and Timo and Fabian Wachs,” said Jörg Tebbe. A well-rounded squad, prepared for (almost) every eventuality. Such as, for example, the possibility that Spiller would unfortunately be sidelined by injury for the third year running. As is well known, in the run-up to the new season, the federation also conducts a survey to find out which riders wish to and will compete in which categories. With the exception of Martin Smolinski, everyone also ticked the box for the Long-Track Team World Championships.

Interest in the national team is low

Tebbe had already struggled to name a competitive team back in 2025. At the time, however, this was solely due to injuries and health issues, which ultimately led to Tebbe himself stepping in once again to fill the number 4 spot. He, who for years had always stepped in as a team-oriented national team player. Who turned down race appearances if he felt that another rider was better suited. And who, in his early years, would simply travel to the Long-Track Team World Championships on his own initiative, as a potential replacement for the replacement. Of all people, he was the one who had to go through this very bitter experience this year. Smolinski pulled out, as did Katt. Erik Riss prefers to ride for AC Landshut in the Polish league on 20 September. That is his priority, Riss said in an interview.

This led to a last-minute nomination for the German national team. Lukas Fienhage, the rock of the team, so to speak, will lead the squad as captain in what is his seventh appearance at the Team World Championships. Alongside him are last year’s U23 world champion, Timo Wachs, Dominik Werkstätter and Fabian Wachs – all of whom are newcomers to the national team. “That means I’ve used up my pool of riders,” said Tebbe. He also considered selecting the young talent Jeremias Ramus and his son Louis: “The downside is that they wouldn’t be able to return to the B licence afterwards.” Tebbe himself will definitely not be able to take part this year due to the injuries he sustained in the spring. He says that in 2027 he will ride a few more races as a sort of farewell tour and then bid a final farewell to active sport.

Tebbe feels let down

How is he feeling after all the rejections and countless phone calls? “Not good. I’m very disappointed and feel let down because I’m not getting any support from those actively involved.” Nevertheless, the 47-year-old has no intention of burying his head in the sand. After all, not only in 2025 but also in 2018, he was part of a team that hardly anyone had given a chance of winning – and which brought home a bronze medal on both occasions. In 2026, they’ll be competing against Denmark, France, Great Britain, Finland, the Netherlands and Norway in Roden, the Netherlands. Tebbe considers the British and the Dutch to be the favourites. “I believe,” says Tebbe, “that the track in Roden will also suit the newcomers in our team.” For the German team manager, it would be a success if they could race “towards the podium”: “Then we’d have really achieved something!” On 20 September, the starting gates will shoot up for the first time at 1.30 pm. In six heats, each featuring a three-versus-three race between two nations, each team will aim to collect as many points as possible to qualify for the all-deciding final.