Deutschland-Tour 2019: All stages, teams and TV times - Everything you need to know about the Deutschland-Tour 2019

Course director Fabian Wegmann has planned the stages of the Tour of Germany in such a way that the races are as varied as possible and many riders have a chance of success. Here he explains the routes and reveals the best spots for spectators

The stages

Stage 1 - Thursday, 29 August 2019: Hanover - Halberstadt, 167 kilometres

That's what route planner Fabian Wegmann says:

The stage begins harmlessly. From Hanover, it is mainly flat. From kilometre 81, the best climbers can prove themselves in the almost 400 metres of altitude difference from Seesen towards Lautenthal. The 18 per cent steep road should really hurt some sprinters. From there, the route descends to the former border crossing just after Vienenburg. The last 50 kilometres are then a hilly climb to Halberstadt in the Harz Mountains.

Hotspot for fans:

The climb up to Sternplatz just before Lautenthal: you will see the pros suffering on the steep last two kilometres. However, this climb will not be decisive for the race. I'm betting on a bunch sprint.

Stage 2 - Friday, 30 August 2019: Marburg - Göttingen, 202 kilometres

That's what route planner Fabian Wegmann says:

The elevation profile of this stage is as jagged as a saw blade. The route from Marburg via Frankenberg, past the Eder reservoir and up to Waldeck Castle is unlikely to leave any time for the pros to recover. To the west of Kassel, the route continues to Weimar without any significant straights. The climb to Herzberger Landstraße in the north of Göttingen will be passed twice on the finish lap - there should be an exciting finale.

Hotspot for fans:

The climb to the Herzberger Landstraße; you will definitely see attacks there. Riders like Maximilian Schachmann will try to decide the stage there.

Stage 3 - Saturday, 31 August 2019: Göttingen - Eisenach, 189 kilometres

That's what route planner Fabian Wegmann says:

After the start in Göttingen, the pros cross the former inner-German border for the first time after 17 kilometres just before Heilbad Heiligenstadt. After a challenging climb with more than 230 metres of elevation gain, the route crosses the former border for the second time at Frieda and then crosses the Werra back into Thuringia at kilometre 63. The last three climbs on the Rennsteig around Eisenach will probably be decisive for the race.

Hotspot for fans:

Crossing the Rennsteig three times on the final lap. My tip: First watch the pros at race kilometre 105 on the Krauthausen climb, then the finale at Hohe Sonne before Eisenach.

Stage 4 - Sunday, 01 September 2019: Eisenach - Erfurt, 159.5 kilometres

That's what route planner Fabian Wegmann says:

The overall classification is probably already decided when the peleton rolls from Eisenach to Tabarz and then over a long climb from Georgenthal to Tambach-Dietharz in the Thuringian Forest. The
four remaining climbs and the small country roads on the route via Zella-Mehlis and the Ruppberg to Oberhof are likely to provoke a few breakaway attempts. However, the long descent from Oberhof over the Wegscheide to Arnstadt reduces the chances of victory for soloists.

Hotspot for fans:

The finish sprint on the wide Gothaer Straße in Erfurt. The road climbs at four per cent, which challenges classic sprinters and also gives other riders a chance.

TV times

The public broadcasters ARD and ZDF will alternate live broadcasts:

The planned live times:

29.8. - ARDfrom 4 p.m.; finish: approx. 5.15 p.m.
30.8. - ZDF, from 4 p.m.; finish: approx. 4:50 p.m.
31.8. - ARDfrom 16:15; finish: approx. 17:45
1.9. - ZDFfrom 2 p.m.; finish: approx. 3.30 p.m.

Everyman race

On 1 September, amateur cyclists can take on parts of the professional route.
The starters have the choice between two distances in the "Jedermann" race with start and finish in Erfurt: 64 & 113 kilometres.

Current information on the Germany tour is available at www.deutschland-tour.de