The Tour of Germany (2.Pro, 26-29/08) starts this Tuesday in Stralsund. The four day race connects the Baltic coast with Franconia in 727 kilometer. It is the first time in its history that the German race starts at the coast. The opening stage will be ridden at sea level between Stralsund and Schwerin. The final of the 191 kilometer stage might be exciting because of the open fields, small roads and multiple changes of direction.
With a bunch sprint as the expected outcome for the first stage, the following day of 185 kilometer between Sangerhausen and Ilmenau offers opportunities to classic riders. The local circuit of 7 kilometer with 130 meters of climbing and a slight uphill finish has to be repeated twice.
The third stage of 191 kilometer starts through the forest of Thuringia, with the rooftop of the Tour of Germany situated immediately after the start on the top of Stützerbach (4.5 km at 3.7%, 769 m d’altitude). Afterwards, the peloton goes towards Coburg and Bamberg before arriving on the local lap of 12 kilometer in Erlangen, where the Rathsberg can create a selection.
Dans la dernière étape, longue de 160 kilomètres entre Erlangen et Nuremberg, pas moins de 2000 mètres de dénivelé positif sont à conquérir dimanche. Six ascensions sont répertoriées, certaines avec des pentes atteignant jusqu’à 20% seront au menu. La majorité des difficultés étant répartie au milieu du parcours, les coureurs pourront profiter d’une phase finale plus plate. Le maillot rouge de leader du Tour d’Allemagne sera définitivement décerné au terme de trois tours de circuit à Nuremberg.
For its second participation to the race, Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert will be represented by six riders. Steven De Neef will direct a young selection, with the German rider Jonas Koch (28) as most experimented rider. Like his compatriote Georg Zimmermann (23), who recently took his first professional victory at the Tour de l’Ain, he will participate to his national tour for the first time. The German riders will be accompanied by neo professionals Théo Delacroix (22) and Alexander Evans (24), and the trainees Dries De Pooter (18) and Maxime Jarnet (22). The French rider will make his debut in the colors of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert.
I’m extremely motivated for this Deutschland Tour. I’m waiting for my first participation for a very long time already. Also, it’s a huge honor for me to be chosen as one of the five favorites by the organization. It is the first time it happens in my professional career and that makes it even more exciting. With the Tour de France, the Tour de l’Ain and the Tour de Pologne I had a busy race schedule behind my back, but I feel fresh and ready to start this Thursday. So the plans of our coach Frederik Veuchelen and the performance staff definitely had the right effect on me. In the Tour of Poland we reached a very high level with the team and I definitely want to continue the same team spirit here. I’m very happy to race alongside my teammate and friend Jonas Koch again. We absolutely want to show something on our home soil!
Deutschland Tour:
Stage 1 (26/8): Stralsund – Schwerin (191,4km)
Stage 2 (27/8): Sangerhausen – Ilmenau (180,9km)
Stage 3 (28/8): Ilmenau – Erlangen (193,9km)
Stage 4 (29/8): Erlangen – Nurnberg (154,4km)
Selection:
Dries De Pooter
Théo Delacroix
Alexander Evans
Maxime Jarnet
Jonas Koch
Georg Zimmermann
Sportive direction:
Steven De Neef
