The 20th edition of the Jan Veselý Memorial will take place on 31 August 2024 in Dolní Vítkovice!
The length of the circuit is 1,000 metres, and it will be held along Vítkovická Street.
You can find the race details HERE.
Why the Jan Veselý Memorial:
A deep connection to Ostrava and a long-standing friendship with the Ostrava cycling legend Vítězslav Dostál led to his wife Eva granting the right to organise a memorial for this significant Czech athlete in Ostrava after the death of "Czech cyclist of the 20th century" Jan Veselý in 2003.
Jan Veselý (17 July 1923 Plástovice – 10 February 2003 Prague) was a Czech athlete and cyclist. He started cycling as a bakery apprentice, delivering bread by bicycle to local shops during the week and racing on the same bike on Sundays. He became the Czechoslovak champion twenty-six times and participated in the Peace Race nine times, winning its 2nd edition in 1949 by a margin of 12 minutes. He secured 9th place at the World Championship in Copenhagen in 1955. In 1957, he withdrew from the Peace Race due to back pain, but was labelled a "traitor of the working class" by the then government, stripped of his title of distinguished master of sports, and banned from racing for two years. This effectively ended his career at the age of 34. O. Pavel depicted Jan Veselý's story in his short story "When It Doesn't Work Out for You". In 2000, he was officially awarded the honorary title of "Czechoslovak Cyclist of the 20th Century". In the latter part of his life, he was very actively involved in organizing the charitable organization Bílý kruh bezpečí, among other socially beneficial activities.
A tribute to a great Czech athlete and person has become part of the Czech Cup for men.