The Deutschland Tour 2025 kicks off this week, promising to be one of the most exciting highlights on the cycling calendar. Spanning 735.4 kilometers, the race runs from Essen to Magdeburg and features both Germany’s finest riders and international stars. All eyes will be on Germany’s rising talent, Florian Lipowitz, who returns to home soil after a breakthrough performance at the Tour de France.
Florian Lipowitz Returns After Tour de France Breakthrough
At just 24 years old, Lipowitz has quickly become the new face of German cycling. After securing an impressive third place in France, he now enters the Deutschland Tour as the main attraction for home fans. While Lipowitz admits he won’t be racing with overall victory ambitions—calling the race more of a “training session” after the Tour—his presence is expected to electrify the atmosphere.
Lipowitz has been clear: his goal is to give something back to German fans and enjoy the unique home support. His participation alone is already sparking a surge of enthusiasm for the Deutschland Tour, potentially setting the stage for future growth of cycling in Germany.
International Stars Add Firepower
Even though mega-names like Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Mathieu van der Poel won’t be present, the Deutschland Tour still boasts a strong lineup. Belgian powerhouse Wout van Aert, fresh off his Tour de France stage win in Paris, will line up. Joining him is Italian sprinter Jonathan Milan, who already won three stages in last year’s Deutschland Tour and claimed the Green Jersey in France.
Milan is expected to go head-to-head with Australian sprinter Kaden Groves, making the sprint stages especially thrilling. Meanwhile, American rider Brandon McNulty from UAE Team Emirates is seen as one of the main contenders for the overall win. With Saturday’s hilly stage to Kassel featuring 3,000 meters of climbing, he could be the man to watch in the general classification.
German Cycling Elite Fully Represented
A major strength of the Deutschland Tour is its rich lineup of German talent. Alongside Lipowitz, riders like Pascal Ackermann, Phil Bauhaus, and national champion Georg Zimmermann will all take the start. However, the biggest emotional storyline comes from veteran John Degenkolb.
The former Paris-Roubaix winner returns to racing after a devastating crash earlier this year at the Tour of Flanders, where he suffered fractures to his wrist, forearm, elbow, and collarbone. His comeback at the Deutschland Tour is one of the most anticipated moments of the event, giving fans another reason to cheer loudly along the roads.
Route: From Essen to Magdeburg
The race opens with a short 3.1-kilometer prologue in Essen. From there, the peloton will pass through Herford, Arnsberg, and Kassel before reaching the grand finale in Magdeburg on Sunday. The route may be shorter than Grand Tours, but its mix of flat sprint stages and selective climbs ensures drama. The Kassel stage, in particular, is tipped to play a decisive role in shaping the overall standings.
The Future of the Deutschland Tour
Since its revival in 2018, the Deutschland Tour has established itself as Germany’s premier stage race. Currently running for just five days, discussions continue about expanding it into a full week-long race. With growing interest and riders like Lipowitz fueling fan enthusiasm, expansion may soon become a reality.
Where to Watch
Fans can follow the race live on ARD and ZDF, with both broadcasters alternating coverage. Eurosport will also stream every stage live, ensuring the Deutschland Tour reaches cycling enthusiasts across Germany and beyond. Whether on TV, online, or roadside, the excitement will be accessible to all.
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