Deutschland Tour 2024: Organisers focus on the south

The few successes of the German professional cyclists at this year's Deutschland Tour have not caused too much disappointment among the organisers. "In the end, it's sport and not a script that is realised. Perhaps a bit of a shame, but the downer is not that big," said Matthias Pietsch, Managing Director of the German Cycling Promotion Association, to the German Press Agency.

The German drivers

Sprinter Phil Bauhaus missed out on the stage win at the finale of the tour in Bremen on Sunday after crossing the finish line in second place behind Dutchman Arvid De Kleijn by a wafer-thin margin in a bunch sprint. The German pros around Nils Politt, Georg Zimmermann and Pascal Ackermann could have achieved more overall. The Belgian Ilan van Wilder (23) took the overall victory.

Germany Tour 2024

Not much information is yet known about next year's tour. According to Pietsch, talks have been going on for some time. The lead time for enquiries to the cities sometimes takes one and a half to two years. The "Badische Zeitung" recently reported that the upcoming tour will take place in Villingen-Schwenningen, among other places. Pietsch did not comment on this location, saying only: "We are travelling more in southern Germany."

In the long term, an extension of this year's five-day tour is also possible. From Pietsch's point of view, a weekly concept would be interesting. However, he also made it clear: "We are growing very naturally, we don't want too much."

Spectators

The organisers were satisfied with the interest shown by spectators at the roadside. "There is a real appetite for cycling in Germany again," Pietsch told ZDF. This is "very positive" for the future of the sport. Fabian Wegmann, who is commentating the Tour de France on TV as an expert, experienced a "Tour de France feeling" on the third stage between Arnsberg and Essen on Saturday.

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