The 1st stage of the Germany Tour became a very close matter. Top favorite Jonathan Milan had to give up newcomer Matthew Brennan on Thursday (21.08.2025). After 202.6 kilometers from Essen to Herford, Brennan won his tenth win of the season. The millimeter decision was only made in the photo finish.
The blue jersey of the overall leader took over the last year of Danny van Poppel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). The Dutchman won Tageground three and is at the same time ahead of Samuel Watson (Great Britain, Ineos Grenadier) and Brennan (Team Visma / Lease A Bike) due to the day positions.
The Belgian Woout van Aert (Team Visma / Lease A Bike), which is fourth behind one second, is in lurk position. The top ten only separate five seconds in the overall ranking.
Lipowitz relaxes in the main field
The best German in Herford was Jonathan Rottmann (Remebe – Rad Net) in tenth. Florian Lipowitz rolled relaxed with the main field. “It was a very flat stage. You could enjoy that quite well. It was just nice to see how many people were on the track,” said the third of the Tour de France at the finish at the Sportschau microphone.
Lipowitz also stayed relaxed when asked about his new team-mate Remco Evenepoel, who is moving to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe for the 2026 season: “You don’t need to compare me with Remco,” he said in the sports show conversation: “I think that he will complement our team well and then let’s see how it will continue next year.”
Degenkolb so far satisfied with comeback
John Degenkolb, who gives his comeback on the Germany Tour after a heavy fall, showed up in the top group on the last few kilometers, but admitted to the sports show: “When it got really quick and technical, I could not keep up at the front, even from the head.” Nevertheless, the 36-year-old was satisfied with the day: “The legs are ok. And I couldn’t simulate a 200-kilometer stage either. In this respect, it was fine.”
The stage was initially shaped by a smaller group of outliers in which a German was also shown with Vinzent Dorn. But just 15 kilometers before the finish, the Sprinter teams made them serious and provided Dorn. The 27-year-old from the little team Bike Aid wanted to collect mountain points in the group, but had to let his colleagues go ahead.
From Herford to Arnsberg
“I wanted to go to the mountain jersey, but that was difficult. The other two cooked me a bit,” Dorn admitted in the sports show talk. He already has the next option on Friday.
The 2nd stage then goes 190.3 kilometers from Herford to the Sauerland to Arnsberg. Four mountain ratings mean a bit of climbing, but above all could be something for classic specialists.
Note from the editorial team: In a first version we reported Jonathan Milan as the winner. The photo finish later approved the day victory.