Lipowitz rejoices amid a moderate beginning to their Germany tour
In the bustling town of Laichingen, Germany, hometown hero Florian Lipowitz prepares for the Deutschland Tour, a cycling event that concludes on Sunday in Magdeburg. The tour, known for its mostly flat terrain, favours sprinters and promises an exciting race.
The first stage, a 202.6-kilometer long ride, will commence on Thursday. Sprinters like Jonathan Milan, Phil Bauhaus, and Pascal Ackermann are expected to shine, with the course favouring their strengths.
However, the race for the overall win is not just a two-horse race. Norwegian Søren Wærenskjold took the stage win in the time trial, and British rider Samuel Watson trails Wærenskjold by less than a second. Wærenskjold will wear the blue jersey of the overall leader in the first stage, while Watsons' close proximity ensures a nail-biting competition.
Meanwhile, Lipowitz, the cycling prodigy who finished third at the Tour de France, sees the Deutschland Tour more as "training" after taking a break due to illness following the France Tour. He finished 36th in the 3.1-kilometer time trial on the grounds of the Zeche Zollverein in Essen, but expressed satisfaction with his start.
Lipowitz, who hails from Laichingen, is a more introverted individual, but he stated that he wants to "give something back" to his fans and team with his start in the Deutschland Tour. This is his first appearance in the event since his third-place finish at the Tour de France.
John Degenkolb, another German cyclist, also returned to competition in Essen after a long break due to injuries sustained at the Tour of Flanders. Degenkolb, who fractured his kneecap, elbow, and wrist during the race, expressed happiness to be back racing, despite the pain.
Austrian Marco Haller came in third in the time trial, adding another layer of intrigue to the overall competition. The Deutschland Tour promises to be an exciting event, with Lipowitz, Wærenskjold, Watson, and Haller all vying for the top spot.
As the race progresses, fans can expect to see Lipowitz giving his all, not just for the overall win, but also to engage with his fans and show his gratitude for their support. The Deutschland Tour 2021, with its flat terrain and close competition, is shaping up to be a thrilling event.
