By Christoph Sicars, dpa
Nils Politt stormed up the Kahler Asten with a powerful kick and clenched his fists at an altitude of 850 metres. The professional cyclist from Cologne is travelling to the Tour de France in the German champion's jersey.
Politt took his first victory at the title fights in Sauerland and presented himself in strong form five days before the Grand Depart in Copenhagen. The 28-year-old won after 189 kilometres from Neheim to Winterberg ahead of fellow breakaway riders Nikias Arndt and Simon Geschke.
"I already realised on Friday that the form was right on time. We had to make the race difficult, which wasn't easy for us," said Politt and added: "The champion's jersey means a lot to me - it's something very special and I'm going to enjoy it." Politt had already prevailed against Arndt at his home race Rund um Köln in May. "Nils was a good deal stronger today and deserved to win," said Arndt, who was not nominated for the Tour by his DSM team.
Development into a winning driver
Tour de France stage win, winner of the Deutschland Tour, home victory at Rund um Köln and now national champion for the first time - Politt has become a winning rider in the space of twelve months. The 28-year-old succeeds his Bora-hansgrohe team-mate Maximilian Schachmann, who had to withdraw due to a positive corona test and is currently worried about his Tour participation.
In the women's race, Liane Lippert secured the title for the second time since 2018. After 122 kilometres, the 24-year-old from Friedrichshafen came out on top ahead of Ricarda Bauernfeind and Nadine Gill in a sprint from a leading group of five. "I put myself under pressure. It was mentally harder than in 2018, when no one had expected me," added the DSM team rider.
The men's race on the difficult course with around 3000 metres of climbing almost resembled an elimination race. Politt and Arndt had broken away from the field early on in a small group. However, when the race got down to business, the fellow breakaway riders Simon Geschke and time trial champion Lennard Kämna were unable to keep up with the pace. Five kilometres before the finish, Politt then pulled away alone with his powerful kick.
Bora dominated
With its many options, the Bora team had everything under control at all times. For the sixth time since Emanuel Buchmann won the title for the first time in Bensheim in 2015, the German champion's jersey has gone to the team based in Raubling, Upper Bavaria. Only in 2016 (André Greipel) and 2020 (Marcel Meisen) did team owner Ralph Denk's squad not win the national title.
"I didn't have the legs at the end, but as long as we have the champion's jersey, it's all good," said Kämna, who was considered one of the favourites after his victory in the time trial. The Giro stage winner finished eleventh, four minutes behind Politt.
Politt is now heading to the Tour with the black, red and gold chest ring. His ticket for Copenhagen is safe, even if the Bora team has postponed the announcement of its line-up. Kämna, stage winner at the Tour of France in 2020, is still hoping for his Tour ticket. "I hope it turns out that way and I'm there," he said. The 109th Tour of France starts on Friday with a 13.2 kilometre individual time trial in the Danish capital.
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