In conversation: Stefan Seyfried on the history, successes and future of the long-established club
The Velocipede Club 1899 Darmstadt – VCD for short – is one of Germany's most traditional cycling clubs. For over 125 years, it has shaped the sporting landscape in Darmstadt and stands for passion on two wheels. Its members ride on the road, in the gym, on the track, or off-road. From BMX juniors to elite cycle ball players, from recreational cyclists to competitive athletes, the club unites an impressive variety of disciplines. With its own velodrome, indoor cycling facilities, and a vibrant club life, the VCD combines top athletic performance with genuine community spirit.
Darmstadt was already a stronghold of cycling in the 19th century – and the Velocipede Club is one of the pioneers of this movement. Today, the club continues this tradition and brings together generations of athletes.
In conversation with Alexander Götz (DA.news), Stefan Seyfried , board member of the Velocipede Club, talks
How did the club come about – and why is it called "Velociped"?
Stefan Seyfried: The club was founded on April 24, 1899. The name "Velociped Club" comes from an older variant of the word "velocipede," which at that time referred to the bicycle or cycling as a sport and leisure activity. Back then, "velocipede" was a common term for competitive cycling. With this name, we consciously emphasize our roots and the long history of the club. The Velociped Club 1899 Darmstadt thus represents over a century of cycling tradition – and a close connection to the origins of cycling.
What makes your community unique?
Stefan Seyfried: Above all, it's the diversity and depth of what we offer. The VCD unites a wide range of disciplines – from classic racing, including track cycling, to artistic cycling, cycle ball, and cycle polo, as well as unicycling, mountain biking, cyclocross, gravel cycling, recreational cycling, and BMX freestyle. In addition, we have our own sports facilities – a velodrome and indoor cycling halls in Darmstadt-Bessungen. This combination of tradition, modern infrastructure, community spirit, and competitive sport is exceptional. Sports enthusiasts of all levels can thrive here: those who want to can simply train with like-minded people or go on tours together, while others compete – both are welcome.
Which events or tours should members absolutely not miss?
Stefan Seyfried: An absolute highlight is our International Track Cycling Tour at the Diatest Velodrome during Pentecost. The world's elite track cyclists meet here – a fantastic experience for members and guests. Also very popular is the "Training World Championship" in cross and gravel cycling: weekly training rides followed by races under floodlights in autumn and winter. We also host the German BMX Championships in Bürgerpark, a cyclocross race on December 28, 2025 , and top-class cycle ball tournaments such as the Klaus Orio and Harald Britz Memorial Tournaments in November. Our calendar of events at vc1899darmstadt.de lists numerous training and competition opportunities throughout the year.
What was your biggest success or special highlight of the last few years?
Stefan Seyfried: There are quite a few – both in terms of sports and organization. We are particularly proud of hosting the German BMX Championships twice, in 2024 and 2025 , where our athletes also won titles. In 2025, we also celebrated a double victory at the German Pumptrack Championships Lisa Heckmann 's performance was also outstanding ; she won several medals at the German Cyclocross Championships. A real highlight was hosting the International Track Cycling Tour 2025 with world and European champions as well as Olympic participants – a top-level event. And in cycle ball, our team of Marcus Dörr and Luca Kovacevic celebrated several successes in 2022, building on their previous youth titles: Hessian champions, German champions, cup winners, and European champions. Successes like these demonstrate how strong and dedicated our members are.
Why is the partnership with the Darmstadt-based science and technology company Merck so valuable?
Stefan Seyfried: The partnership with Merck opens up many opportunities for us. As a premium sponsor and supporter, Merck supports, among other things, our major events such as the International Track Cycling Tour and the German BMX Championships. This support enables us to realize events at a professional level, something a club of our size could hardly manage on its own. Furthermore, Merck helps to improve infrastructure and sustainably promote youth development – an area that is particularly important to us. This partnership creates stability, visibility, and room for growth – a win-win situation for both sides.
How can interested people get involved or support you?
Stefan Seyfried: The best way is simply to come along and join in! Anyone interested can drop by a training session without obligation, find out more, or even try out which discipline suits them best. Getting started is easy – whether on the track, in BMX, or in cycle ball. You can also find an online application form at vc1899darmstadt.de/mitglied-werden . Those who don't want to actively participate in sports can support the club in other ways – for example, through sponsorship, helping out at events, volunteering, or making donations. Every bit of support helps keep cycling vibrant in Darmstadt.
Liveable Darmstadt
powered by MerckClubs are the heart of a community. They promote social integration and bring people together. They enrich local life through cultural and sporting activities, offer educational opportunities, and engage in social projects. In short: They make a city like Darmstadt a livable place.
But that costs money. Membership fees aren't always enough. In this series, we present selected Darmstadt clubs supported by Merck – be it in sports, culture, the common good, or science education.
Each of these clubs has a unique history and contributes to strengthening the community in its own way. We asked the leaders what defines their club and how the partnership with Merck not only provides financial support but also fosters growth and development.
Learn more about the diverse nature of Darmstadt's club landscape and how Merck and its partners are working together to achieve more – for a region worth living in.
