Andreas Kappes (23 December 1965 – 30 July 2018) was a German professional cyclist who competed successfully on both the road and the velodrome. Born in Bremen, Germany, he turned professional in 1987 and remained active until 2009. Over the course of his career he amassed 133 recorded wins and built a reputation for fast finishes and versatility across disciplines.

Career and riding style

Kappes combined road sprinting with sustained involvement on the track. He was particularly successful in short, high-speed races such as criteriums and sprint stages, and regularly took part in track meetings and multi-day events at indoor velodromes. His professional longevity — more than two decades — reflected an ability to adapt to different formats and to compete at a national and international level across seasons.

Notable achievements

  • Total professional wins: 133 (across road and track events).
  • Frequent winner of criteriums and national-level races, plus many velodrome events and six-day-type competitions.
  • Competitor at major European racing calendars, serving as a familiar figure in both sprint finishes and track programs.

Early life and Olympic appearance

As an amateur Kappes represented West Germany at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, an early international milestone that preceded his long professional tenure. His development through German amateur ranks into the pro peloton mirrored the era's pathway for riders who combined track and road racing.

Retirement, death and legacy

Kappes retired from full-time professional racing in 2009 but remained a respected figure in the cycling community. He died on 30 July 2018 at age 52 after suffering anaphylaxis caused by an insect bite, a tragic and sudden end to a life in sport (anaphylaxis). His passing was widely reported and mourned within German cycling circles.

Today Kappes is remembered for his adaptability, his success in fast, spectator-friendly events, and for representing German cycling across both road and track disciplines during a career that spanned the late 20th and early 21st centuries. For further context on events, venues and records relating to his era see broader cycling histories and databases (1984 Olympic cycling).