The 38th edition of the race takes place between 23-27 August.
The prologue is back at the Deutschland Tour. After making its appearance on the route last year for the first time in the history of the race, the short stage against the clock will once again determine an initial pecking order in St. Wendel, where a 2.2km very technical course promises a spectacular and close fight for victory. This will be followed by a day for the classics specialists, who’ll take on several climbs – including a double ascent of the Kreuzberg Chapel – before the finish in Merzig.
The longest stage of this edition brings the race’s only uphill finish in Winterberg, where the gradients and the bonus seconds waiting on the line could bring some significant changes to the general classification and even decide the overall winner, given that in Essen there are just a few short hills spread out over the parcours, while in Bremen it will be all about the sprinters.
Soudal Quick-Step comes to the start of the race with a versatile team made of Dries Devenyns, Mauro Schmid, Jannik Steimle, U23 Worlds bronze medalist Martin Svrcek, Ilan Van Wilder – who recently finished fourth overall at the Tour de Pologne – and Ethan Vernon, a winner of four races this season.
“Ethan will be our man for the flat, including the prologue, where he has shown in the past what he is capable of. When it comes to the GC fight, we’ll count on Mauro and Ilan, who as you can see will be supported by a strong team. The course can make for a very open and entertaining race, and we look forward to it”, said sports director Davide Bramati.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
Martin Svrček 
Ilan Van Wilder 