The green light would no doubt do Politt good. His stage win last year showed that. “After that it went really well. I won the Germany Tour, this year my home race around Cologne and became German champion for the first time,” Politt lists. And with the cobblestones he still has a score to settle this year. Actually, Paris-Roubaix was supposed to be his first highlight of the season in the spring, but bronchitis and a corona infection thwarted the plans.
So Politt thought about the tour. “I made a cut and put the bike aside for a week,” says the 1.92-meter-tall professional. “I then worked a lot to be at my best on the Tour. I think I did it just in time.” Of course, Politt dutifully emphasizes that his first task is to get Wlasow safely through the treacherous first week.
Victory at German championship
Already at the German championships a week before the start of the tour in the Sauerland, it was clear how great Politt’s form is. He won the difficult 190 kilometers with a good 3000 meters of altitude difference as a soloist. A strong performance for a driver with his physical condition, after all many experts had more mountain-stable drivers on their screens like Lennard Kämna or Emanuel Buchmann.
In the opening days in Denmark, Politt was strong again. On the last 30 kilometers of the stage to Sønderborg he was always ahead in the wind and protected Vlasow. But as self-sacrificing as Politt is as a helper, he would also like to get his own chance. “It’s just fun to win and throw your arms up. That’s never going to change.”