Deutschland Tour 2022: Continental teams stir up the peloton


analysis

Status: 08/25/2022 8:14 p.m

On the first stage of the Deutschland Tour, it was not the big stars that rode into the limelight, but the small Continental teams. First and foremost Jakob Gessner from Erfurt.

The first stage led over 171 kilometers from Weimar through the Thuringian Forest to Meiningen. Australian Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) was able to prevail on the stage, which was difficult for sprinters, crossing the finish line by a hair’s breadth in front of Italian Jonathan Milan (Bahrain – Victorious) and German Max Kanter (Movistar Team).

Filippo Ganna, leader of the general classification before the stage, finished with the peloton and not only keeps the red jersey, but also the green jersey of the best sprinter. On the other hand, there was a surprise in the fight for the blue jersey, which belongs to the best on the mountain. Jakob Gessner from Erfurt from the Continental team Lotto – Kern Haus grabbed this thanks to a famous breakaway attempt.

Continental drivers cause a sensation

Immediately after the starting signal, Roman Duckert, Jakob Gessner, Joshua Huppertz and Michiel Stockman – all young riders from German Continental teams, virtually the third division in cycling – pulled away from the main field and at times extended their lead to more than four minutes. Although the breakaway group was caught a few kilometers before the finish, Gessner was able to win every mountain classification.

The first stage of the Deutschland Tour led from Weimar to Meiningen. Here are the last three of the 171.7 kilometers.

Here you can see the first stage of the Germany tour in full.

Celebrating such a great success in his home country of Thuringia is something very special, Gessner said after the race. “It’s really cool to be able to wear the jersey here on home streets. It’s almost cheesy. I’m looking forward to being at the start tomorrow.” Although the 22-year-old will enjoy the moment, he does not want to give in and fight to claim the blue jersey. “We’re concentrating on the small points in the mountain classification, like the insatiable caterpillar.”

Thanks to the wildcard at the start

Jakob Gessner drives for Team Lotto – Kern Haus, one of three German UCI Continental teams that received a wild card from the organizers of the Deutschland Tour. This is only possible because the tour has no WorldTour status, i.e. it is not held in the highest racing class of the world sports association UCI. Continental teams are not allowed to start there. In addition to Team Lotto – Kern Haus, the teams Dauner-AKKON from Cologne and Saris Rouvy Sauerland are also at the start.

According to Geßner, today is a great success, especially for the Continental team. “This is the biggest tour we have in Germany. And we didn’t want to hide here, we showed that today.”

Big stage Germany tour

Normally, Continental teams compete in smaller UCI races and in the cycling national league. The Deutschland Tour is all the more an important stage on which the smaller teams can present themselves, says Heiko Volkert, co-owner of the Sauerland team. “It’s always nice when we can ride with the big guys. And then today to be in the leading group, which consists only of the three German Conti teams.”

That could attract sponsors who are harder to find in the lower classes. And in terms of sport, participation in the Deutschland Tour is also of great importance. “Our riders have to rack up race miles and compete with those who ride a level or two higher, for example in the World or ProTour, so that they realize that they are not that far away after all.” In many cases, Continental teams are the springboard there, as they often take on the important work with young talent.

The Rad-Bundesliga stays under the radar

The Saris Rouvy Sauerland team currently has four of the five best riders in the cycling league – a result of the team’s sustained and continuous work, says Volkert. But the public hardly notices anything about the successes, the cycling national league for men and women stays completely under the radar.

A greater visibility of the national league would help the small teams. “If we had more attention with the Bundesliga, many other things would also be easier, for example the search for sponsors.” These would also be necessary in order to be able to apply for a higher license from the UCI. However, Volkert’s team still lacks the financial means to do so.

Just get through

But now it’s up to the Continental teams just to get through and here and there, like today, bring breakaway groups to the start. Volkert: “We want all drivers to reach the finish line on Sunday. Otherwise it’s: Show, get through and swim in the midfield.” At least today it has been more than successful. After the second stage from Meiningen to Marburg, it will be clear whether Jakob Gessner can defend his mountain jersey.

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