Deutschland Tour 2023: This is the route - Tour becomes a classic spectacle
Sebastian Lindner
· 25.08.2023
Last year, the Deutschland Tour with its mountain finish on the Schauinsland in the Black Forest was an affair for real climbers and took place at the end of the year. has its winner in Adam Yates. However, the 38th edition of the Deutschland Tour, which will take place from 23 to 27 August 2023 and is once again part of the UCI Pro Series - one step below World Tour level - is likely to be contested by the classics specialists. There will be no high mountains, but the hills of the Sauerland in particular are likely to set the classification in motion. An overview of the route.
Prologue | Wednesday, 23 August 2023 | St. Wendel (2.3 km)
The Deutschland Tour will start in St. Wendel. A prologue will sort out the overall classification for the first time. Although only 2.3 kilometres long, the opening stage should not be underestimated. This is because the course leads around the old town and is correspondingly winding, with several hairpin bends and 90-degree bends repeatedly breaking the rhythm and favouring strong riders. It is therefore quite possible that a sprinter will be able to pull on the red jersey of the overall leader.
Stage 1 | Thursday, 24 August 2023 | St. Wendel - Merzig (179 km)
The first stage of the Deutschland Tour 2023 will remain in Saarland, starting again in St. Wendel and leading to Merzig. The Deutschland Tour has already been there once before in 2018 - the eventual overall winner Matej Mohoric won ahead of Nils Politt. The finish at that time will be completed twice this year - including the climb to the Kreuzbergkapelle, the toughest obstacle at the end of the stage. However, as many steep hills also have to be tackled beforehand in the course of the stage, the riders for hilly terrain are in demand here and will be fighting for the stage win.
Stage 2 | Friday, 25 August | Kassel - Winterberg (201.3 km)
This also applies to stage 2, which is not only the longest stage of the tour, but can also be safely categorised as the queen stage. But to get there, there is first a long transfer for riders and staff. The stage begins in Kassel, around 400 kilometres away. The day's terrain is undulating throughout, and the finale in Winterberg is a tough one. First, the highest point of this year's tour is reached in Altlastenberg at an altitude of around 770 metres, then it's downhill again - but only to ride the 2.5-kilometre-long final climb. A total of 2310 metres in altitude are covered - the last of which is a mountain finish right before the finish line.
Stage 3 | Saturday, 26 August | Arnsberg - Essen (173.8 km)
The 3rd stage, starting in Arnsberg, is a little quieter. At least in the last third of the stage towards Essen. Before that, however, there are several steep climbs with double-digit gradients. It cries out for a breakaway group - or the sprinters feel the need to warm up before the flat section on the last stage.
Stage 4 | Sunday, 27 August | Hanover - Bremen (175.6 km)
The fast men will not want to miss out on the final in Bremen. After the start in Hanover and the finish in Bremen's Überseestadt, there are only 370 metres of elevation gain. Some cobblestones await the field in front of Bremen's town hall, but this should not cause any problems.
Fabian Wegmann & Jens Zemke on the route of the Deutschland Tour 2023
Fabian Wegmann, sporting director of the Deutschland Tour and responsible for the course, expects "a real hunt for the red jersey in Saarland, Sauerland and on the way to Essen". In addition, there will be the "seconds thriller" in the prologue and the "Sprint Royal in Bremen as the crowning finale", said Wegmann at the press conference to present the route.
Jens Zemke, a player from the other side, also took a look at the situation. The sporting director of Bora-Hansgrohe attached great importance to the 2200 metres of the prologue in particular. "You have to be a good time trialist, because if you lose 10 or 15 seconds there, it could be tight for the overall classification," said Zemke. "The first two stages then make a big difference in the classification, and I see the last two stages as more of a defence of your position."
