At the Münsterland Giro everyone is counting on the sprinters at the start. But this time the route also offers small opportunities for classic drivers.
Traditionally, the Day of German Unity is also the day of a large cycling festival in the north of North Rhine-Westphalia – because every year at this time the Münsterland Giro held. When the next edition takes place on Tuesday (October 3rd, 2023), there will be something historic to report in the history of the race.
For the first time over 2,000 meters in altitude
This is due to the many first times this year: For the first time, the professional race will be broadcast in its entirety on sportschau.de from 12.45 p.m., as well as very extensively on TV on WDR Münster (from 1.45 p.m.). For the first time, all hobby classes, the so-called “everyman races” with 5,200 participants, are fully booked – late registration is no longer possible. And the third time is probably the most exciting: the pros’ route offers over 2,000 meters of altitude, something that hasn’t happened before.
In the otherwise flat Münsterland, this number of meters in altitude is quite unusual. However, the likelihood of a mass sprint is likely to be high despite the more demanding route – and so the race primarily attracts world-class sprinters.
World’s best sprinters at the start
The dominant fast man of the Tour de France is the favorite at the start: Jasper Philipsen from Team Alpecin-Deceuninck. He won four stages on the big loop through France in the summer and took the green jersey for the sprinter with the best points. He has a total of 14 wins this season, number 15 is now to follow. Last year he was second in Münsterland.
Professional cyclist Jasper Philipsen
But the other World Tour teams present also offer their sprint stars: Jumbo-Visma is sending European champion Christoph Laporte into the race, the German team Bora-hansgrohe has Jordi Meeus, the winner of the prestigious final stage of the Tour of France, in its squad and also Philipsens The worst rival from the summer, Mads Pedersen, is on the start list. This reads a bit like a “who’s who” of the world’s best sprinters.
Hilly middle section as a classic opportunity
But the route, with its altitude, offers an alternative outcome to the race in addition to the expected sprint. Especially through the hilly part between kilometers 38 to 138, where the drivers have to cross the heights of the Teutoburg Forest with a gradient of up to eight percent. This section, located south of the starting point of Osnabrück, could attract strong classic riders like Nils Politt or Luka Mezgec.
After that, however, there are 60 flat kilometers to the finish line in front of the castle in the Westphalian metropolis of Münster. The cobblestones of the city center are still waiting there on a final lap that has to be ridden three times – that could also lead to surprises.
Lots of fans expected in Münster
From a German perspective, the hopes for the classics are likely to lie primarily with Politt. If, on the other hand, it comes to the sprint final, Max Walscheid, who leads the starting national team, has the best chance of intervening. The 30-year-old is at least hoping for that: “I’m happy that I can lead this team and hope for a sprint final. I’ve already won here and would therefore like to aim for the podium again.”
Cycling enthusiasts can look forward not only to the professionals, but also to 5,200 participants in the everyone’s races. There are three routes to choose from, the longest is 125 kilometers long. It starts at one of Münster’s landmarks: the well-known Prinzipalmarkt. From there to the finish line at the castle it is only a few meters for the fans – so crowds of spectators are almost guaranteed for the cycling festival in Münsterland.
