Home advantage NRW?: Politt won't give up on Germany Tour

Tailwind from home advantage? After missing the chance in Saarland, professional cyclist Nils Politt wants to have a say in his second overall victory in the Tour of Germany after 2021 in his home state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Germany Tour 2023: Nils Politt is looking forward to travelling through NRW

"It's very nice to drive close to home. I think there will be a lot of friends and fans along the route. Hopefully the weather will play ball," said the Cologne native after the first stage in Merzig.

>> This is the route of the Deutschland Tour

There, the 29-year-old Bora-hansgrohe pro was unable to follow the leading trio around the Belgian stage winner Ilan van Wilder (23) on the last climb of the day and is now 19 seconds behind the young Belgian ahead of the second stage. Now it's on to Politt's home state. The 201.3 kilometre second stage from Kassel in northern Hesse to Winterberg in the Sauerland region features almost 3300 metres of climbing. The third stage on Saturday then leads over 173.8 kilometres from Arnsberg to Essen. "Look, wait and see - the Tour is not over yet," said Politt pugnaciously.

Germany Tour 2023: Politt 2022 German champion in Winterberg

The Bora-Hansgrohe pro has fond memories of Winterberg: he won the title of German road champion here in 2022. After three years at Bora-Hansgrohe, Politt is looking for a new challenge with UAE Team Emirates, led by two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar, starting next season. Preferably with a victory at the Deutschland Tour 2023 as a seal of approval in his pocket. "I haven't won a bike race yet this year, so it would be really nice to win here again in the Bora jersey," said Politt.

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