After a successful career as professional cyclist, at the end of 1983 Klaus-Peter Thaler took leave of the active sport. As a professional rider, the West German all-rounder had mainly manifested himself on the road, although he also got his share as a cyclo-cross rider. However, as a professional rider he did not succeed in matching the successes that he achieved as amateur cyclo-cross rider. He ambitiously started working as national coach, but soon his character clashed with the lazy attitude of the German amateur cyclists. Frustrated, at the end of 1984 Thaler again climbed on his bicycle for a comeback as cyclo-cross rider at the age of 35. He succeeded where he did not before, because Klaus-Peter Thaler won the rainbow jersey two times.
Klaus-Peter Thaler was a pure cyclo-cross rider, a rider who obtained good results based on his technique. When he was faced with a muddy track, his morale would drop to below zero. He was not fond of plodding through the mud. Klaus-Peter Thaler grew up in Siegen, where he became interested in cycling when he was a little boy. At the age of 8 he rode down the steps of his home on his bicycle. He was fourteen years old when he rode and won his first youth race. Later on, he even became national champion in his category. During the winter, he kept in shape by taking part in cyclo-cross races and soon his talent manifested itself. He won his first cyclo-cross race while riding a road bicycle and wearing gymnastic shoes.
The career of Klaus-Peter Thaler really started when he started riding with the amateurs. He was one of the best of his country, both on the road and in the field. He was given many pointers by Rolf Wolfshohl, who taught him a lot, especially the technical aspects. In his own country, he was practically unbeatable as cyclo-cross rider and he also attracted attention internationally. In 1973 in the London Crystal Park he won his first rainbow jersey after an exciting battle with Bert Vermeire. The pair controlled the race, which eventually had to be decided in the sprint, in which the quick German did not give his companion any chance. In 1976 Thaler also won the gold medal at the world championships in Chazay d'Azergues, although in the French Alps he was not presented with his favourite track. However, that day Thaler was in great shape and he did not give his big competitor Bert Vermeire any chance. As an amateur he also won two silver medals where the unapproachable Vermeire won gold. His small figure (1.70 metres) was a disadvantages, especially in running intervals, and that is where Bert Vermeire each time made the difference.
It appeared that Klaus-Peter Thaler did not have any ambitions to become a professional rider, because in 1976 he also rode all international road races as an amateur. However, an incident during the Olympics in Montreal in 1976 lead him to reconsider his opinion. Due to sprinting contrary to the rules he was put back from second place to ninth place. The German Confederation did not protest and that is why the offended Thaler decided to immediately become a professional rider in 1977. For six years he was one of the best European road racers. He won a stage in the Tour de France and even wore the yellow jersey. He continued to combine his activities on the road with cyclo-cross racing. However, a new world title was not in the cards for him. The world championships were hardly ever ridden on a track that was made out for Thaler. Only in 1980 were the cyclo-cross riders presented with a beautiful and technically very difficult track in Wetzikon. When Thaler rode in front with Zweifel, Liboton and Stamsnijder, he had a considerable chance to win the rainbow jersey. After all, he was an expert in riding a snowy track. He fully controlled the technique of steering with his rear wheel. However, in Wetzikon Thaler was thrown off balance in the last lap by a fall of Albert Zweifel in the last descent. Because of that, he also fell on the hard frozen ground and lost his chances of winning the rainbow jersey. When he took leave as professional rider for the first time in 1983, a world title was therefore missing on his roll of honour. He did have two bronze and one silver world championship medal in his trophy-cabinet.
At the end of 1984, Thaler unexpectedly made his comeback after manifesting himself strongly during a practice ride with Dieter Uebing. He bought new material and seriously started taking part in cyclo-cross races again. He fully geared his preparation to the world championships that would take place in the German Munich that winter. Because of the snow and ice, the track in and around the Olympic Stadium was made out for Thaler. In an exciting race, the sympathetic German won the rainbow jersey, thus making the German Confederation look foolish.
Two years later he repeated this stunt in the Czech Mlada Boleslav under practically identical circumstances, unexpectedly renewing his career with another season.

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