With Sören Waerenskjold, a young Norwegian wins the Germany tour. But not only he can say that he has completed five successful racing days.
Actually, said Sören Waerenskjold at the all -way enrollment before the start in Halle, he would be very happy if the day were already over and he could be to his family because he was quite nervous. No wonder there was a lot to win, but also to lose a lot. Since the second stage, the young Norwegian has carried the blue jersey of the overall leader. To have to hand it over shortly before the finish? Not a nice idea.
However, Wærenskjold was tense for free. He went to the fourth and last stage with a ten second ahead, in the end it was 16 seconds that made him the overall winner of this year’s Germany tour. Second and third were Jhonatan Narváez (UAE Emirates-XRG) and Riley Sheehan (Israel-Premier-Tech).
“That really means a lot to me“, said Waerenskjold in the final press conference.”During the race you are so focused and are under pressure that the relief is now great. I will be able to enjoy it in a few days.“
Two victories and three jerseys
The Germany Tour could not have run better for the driver of the Norwegian Team UN-X Mobility. Except for one stage, Wærenskjold was on the podium every day, twice even at the top. Although he benefited from the distancing Danny van Poppels in his second stage victory, which must also be mentioned. Today, however, he briefly went the nozzle. Due to the strong wind, it became hectic after almost 95 kilometers. “We tried to keep everything under control, but fortunately the others didn’t have any superpowers today.“
It is not the Norwegian’s first big victory. As early as 2022, the 25-year-old crowned himself to the U23 world champion in time trial, but the previous climax should be the victory at the one-time classic Omloop Nieuwsblad last March. Winning a tour is much more difficult. Everything has to go together, so thank you to the team. “It is a big win for us as a team, because the others supported me every day and kept my back free“, said Waerenskjold, who not only won the blue jersey, but was also recognized as the best sprinter and young driver.
Lipowitz despite falling happy
Florian Lipowitz also knows how it feels to cut off well on a tour. The latter celebrated his return on the big stage on the Germany Tour. After his sensational third place at the Tour de France, the 24-year-old started the race from the start. Above all, he wanted to enjoy the atmosphere and give back the fans a little, the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe driver said before the tour starts in the Sportschau-Podcast Tourfunk. Despite a fall on the second stage, his conclusion is accordingly positive.
“I mainly came here because of the fans and it’s just nice to see how many people were on the track. Really incredible“, enthuses Lipowitz.”Even if the fall did not go so well, I’m really happy to be here.“In the end, the Laichinger took the 36th place. As the best German, on the other hand, Marius Mayrhofer (Tudor Pro Cycling) finished the finish line.
Gripping duel around the mountain jersey
The fight for the mountain jersey was just as scarce. The two German drivers Miguel Heidemann and Vincent Dorn led the rating to the same extent before the start of the stage. And it was just a mountain to be mastered. In the end, as so often, the third in the group was allowed to look forward to the Dutch Enzo Leijnse. Nothing can be felt of bitterness among the two Germans. Not even with Heidemann, who drove the entire tour in the mountain jersey and only had to give it up again today.
“I could hardly follow on the steep piece. The legs decided today. But I didn’t have it, accordingly I don’t regret anything“, says the 27-year-old driver from the Sauerland team Rembe | Rad-Net. Vincent Dorn looks similar. He has as many points as Leijnse, but is left behind due to the worse overall placement. “Often you look at what you have not achieved and see too little what you have achieved“, Dorn told the sports show.”It was a great Germany tour for me. I can be proud of that.“
Cycling as Spectator magnet
An exciting duel about the mountain jersey, a likeable winner and stars like Lipowitz and Wout van Aert – the Germany Tour was a complete success for Fabian Wegmann. Also because she lured so many people on the route. “This shows how many spectators the cycling can be a magnet. That was big cinema“, the race director enthuses in an interview. In addition, the tour with Wærenskjold has a deserved winner.”The strongest has won. And that would have happened without the distancing of Van Poppel“Wegmann is certain.”Wærenskjold was simply in a great shape.“
Incidentally, this was quite surprised by the many fans on the track – just like Van Aert, who celebrated his premiere at the Germany Tour. “It was really nice to see how much interest in cycling in Germany is growing. The atmosphere on the route was really great.“And what’s next for the overall winner?”I will now spend a few weeks with my family.“All wishes from the morning seem to have come true.