Program and details for the 32nd edition of the Randonnée Jempy Schmitz, taking place on Sunday, August 9, 2026 in Diekirch:
Location & Registration
- Start & Finish: Sports Centre / Municipal Swimming Pool in Diekirch (Rue Joseph Merten)
- Registration: On-site before departure (E-bikes are also welcome)
Routes & Departure Times
- Route A (~48 km): Start between 07:00 and 11:30
- Route B (~80 km): Start between 07:00 and 11:00
- Route C (~120 km): Start between 07:00 and 10:00
- Route D (~155 km): Start between 07:00 and 09:00
- “Jempy Schmitz” Group: Mass start at 08:30
Refreshment Stations & Checkpoints
The refreshment and control stations along the courses will be open during the following hours:
- Bivels (Village): 07:30 – 15:30 (for Routes A, B, C & D)
- Munshausen: 08:00 – 11:00 (for Route D only)
- Bourcy (Water point): 09:30 – 12:00 (for Route D only)
- Huldange: 09:30 – 13:00 (for Routes C & D)
The Velo Club Diekirch (VCD) is one of Luxembourg’s most prominent local cycling clubs, deeply rooted in the history of Luxembourgish cycling.
🚴 Origins and Founding
- Founded: November 8, 1950
- Location: The first official committee meeting was held at the Café Martin Fischbach on the town square in Diekirch, Luxembourg.
- Purpose: Established to promote cycling in northern Luxembourg, catering to road racing, youth development, and recreational cycling (cyclo-tourisme).
🏆 Key Milestones & Event Hosting
Over its multi-decade history, VC Diekirch has organized hundreds of local, national, and international events:
- Tour de Luxembourg: VC Diekirch has frequently hosted stage starts and finishes (départs et arrivées) for Luxembourg’s flagship multi-day road race.
- National & International Road Races: The club has hosted dozens of official Luxembourgish championship events and international road races.
- Randonnée Jempy Schmitz: One of the club’s signature annual events, held every August in honor of legendary Luxembourgish cyclist Jempy Schmitz, drawing hundreds of cyclo-tourists and recreational cyclists. www.facebook.com
- Cyclocross & Off-Road Events: VC Diekirch regularly organizes local and national cyclocross (CX) championships and mountain bike races, including hosting the Luxembourgish Cyclocross National Championships. vcdiekirch.jimdofree.com
- Hometrainer Nights (Soirées um Hometrainer): Historically, VC Diekirch was famous for organizing popular indoor trainer competition nights, a local favorite during the winter months.
🛠️ Modern Era & Youth Development
Today, affiliated with the Fédération du Sport Cycliste Luxembourgeois (FSCL), Velo Club Diekirch continues to serve as an essential hub for grassroots cycling in Luxembourg:
- Youth Training: Hosting regular youth training sessions, including kids’ mountain bike races (Kanner-Mountainbike-Courssen).
- Community Engagement: Organizing roundtables and public exhibitions highlighting the evolution of Luxembourgish cycling and discussing the future of youth sports participation.
