Vera Hohlfeld, head of the Women's International Tour of Thuringia, is not only focussing on the UCI Tour in Eastern Thuringia. "It has bothered me for a long time that we no longer had our own team at the start on the home roads," says the Erfurt-based rider. "But it's actually much more important that we can once again open the door to an international cycling career for young up-and-coming female racers from the clubs and neighbouring federal states."
She cites Lisa Fischer as an example. The highly talented former resident, who won national titles as a junior, especially on the track, and went on to become an international champion, is just at the start of her career at the age of 18. She is one of ten predominantly young riders who are now looking for a new challenge in the new women's team. Alongside her, Beate Zanner (29) from Gera, 19-year-old Marie-Therese Ludwig from Thuringia and Lisa Poller from Brandenburg, who is the same age and both made their debut at this year's Tour of Thuringia, other talents from Saxony, Brandenburg and Bavaria are hoping for exciting tests in the new team jersey.
In the future, the youngest talents should mature in their own team. That is why team manager Vera Hohlfeld and sports director Bert Dressel (Chemnitz) are currently working on a junior team, which will be led by 17-year-old Lena Scheiner from Elxleben and - like the "Ladies Team" - is aiming to start its first Bundesliga season in the spring.
In recent years, too little has been done in Thuringia in the area of young female athletes and I would like to change that in co-operation with the TRV, explains Vera Hohlfeld. The Olympic silver medallist from Atlanta is certain that a young girl with talent, who is carefully developed and has the appropriate ambition and stamina, is very likely to take part in at least one Olympic Games. We now need to get more and more young girls interested in cycling again.
National women's coach Thomas Liese is already delighted. "A courageous endeavour these days," says the former world champion in amazement, "and a hopeful signal for our young talent."
The first dates have already been finalised. The Italian tour boss Brunello Fanini has already promised the team a starting place for the internationally renowned women's tour. The highlight of the season is, of course, the 25th Tour of Thuringia in July. "To be able to compete against the world's elite with our own team on our home course for our anniversary," explains Vera Hohlfeld, "it will be a great challenge for our very young team and it's simply a great feeling." A feeling that the Thuringian cycling fans and spectators are sure to share.
