Key points :
Germany’s most important cycling race remains true to its concept and once again presents a classics tour for 2024.
A prologue and four stages with the typical character of demanding classics will characterize the Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024.
737 kilometers, which are rarely flat, will lead through four federal states from 21 to 25 August.
The Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024 already promises pure excitement. After a short but intense start in Schweinfurt, only seconds will separate the best riders. The following four stages will offer plenty of opportunity for further nail – biting action and tight finishes. The idea of offering fans exciting cycling every day and keeping the decision on the overall victory until the finale is also reflected in this year’s route.
Prologue: Schweinfurt (2,9 km)
The Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024 begins at Schweinfurt’s market square in the heart of the city center, where the riders will kick off the tour with a lap of almost 3 kilometers through the Lower Franconian city. The first third features a long straight to build up speed. At the change of direction, rides will need to brake before heading towards the back straight. After the last 90-degree bend, a long slightly uphill section leads slightly uphill to the finish at Fichtelgarten. As in previous years, a thriller by the second can be expected on August 21st, which will decide the day’s victory and the first leader’s jersey of the Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024.
Stage 1: Schweinfurt – Heilbronn (177 km)
On the morning of August 22nd, the riders return to the Schweinfurt market. After the teams have once again presented themselves to the Schweinfurt public, they start the first stage of the Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024 from here. During the Neutralized start, they will cross the Main on the Maxbrücke and ride south to the outskirts of the city, where the real start takes place. A typical classic stage awaits the pros on the way to Heilbronn: 177 kilometers with many short climbs. After 70 kilometers,the riders will cross then Bavarian border and follow the route south through Baden-Württemberg via Tauberbischofsheim. After reaching the city of Heilbronn, a challenge awaits just before the finale. On the spectacular climb to the Jägerhaus, the gradients reach double figures. With 15 kilometers to go, this is a great opportunity for breakaway riders willing to make up the seconds lost the day before.
Stage 2: Heilbronn – Schwäbisch Gmünd (173 km)
The 2nd stage of the Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024 leads completely through Baden-Württemberg. After the riders have left Heilbronn, the real start takes place not far from Weinsberg. Large parts of the stage will run through the Swabian-Franconian Forest Mountains. From Löwenstein, the route leads through beautiful natural landscapes to Sulzbach am Kocher, which is reached at the halfway point of the stage. A cycling classic awaits in the last third of the race. From Lautern, the route climbs up to Lauterburg and Bartholomä on the Swabian Alb. Less than 3 kilometers long, but over 13% steep in the last part, the climb is a challenge for the punchers. In Schwäbisch Gmünd, fans can experience the pros in the finish area several times: after the first crossing of the finish line, they will complete two more laps of 10 kilometers each.
Stage 3: Schwäbisch Gmünd – Villingen-Schwenningen (212 km)
The 3rd stage also runs through the Ländle. The most challenging stage of the Tour is on the agenda to set the mood for the weekend of the Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024. With 212 kilometers, it is the longest stage that has ever been held since the comeback of the Tour. In addition to this great distance, riders will face a challenge of 3000m elevation gain. After leaving Schwäbisch Gmünd, the day begins with a flat section to Weilheim an der Teck. A little later, the first difficulty of the day comes into sight with the climb to Ochsenwang. This is followed by the typical ups and downs of the Swabian Alb. Via Bad Urach and Lichtenstein-Unterhausen, the route follows the former route of the cog railroad parallel to the Honauer Steige up to the Traifelberg. This was the route of the German Mountain Championships in 1996. Shortly after Albstadt, the highest point of the Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024 is reached. On the heights of the Swabian Alb, the route then continues towards Villingen-Schwenningen at almost 900m above sea level. After a loop through Schwenningen – part of the twin town – the route continues to the stage finish in Villingen. After the first crossing of the finish line in front of the Neue Tonhalle, a final lap is ridden – the last 8 kilometers that decide the day’s winner after a very challenging day.
Stage 4: Annweiler am Trifels – Saarbrücken (172 km)
The finale of the Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024 begins in Rhineland-Palatinate. The peloton leaves Annweiler am Trifels in a north-easterly direction on Sunday morning and rides through the picturesque villages of the Southern Wine Route. After passing Maikammer, the route heads directly uphill to the highest mountain in the Palatinate Forest – the Kalmit – only 25 kilometers have been ridden so far. After the long descent, it’s time to climb again, this time the Iggelbacher Stich to Johanniskreuz. On the way to the Saarland, the profile calms down and preparations will surely be made for the grand finale of the Tour in Saarbrücken. Before the riders can celebrate at the finish line on Heuduckstraße, they will have to complete two demanding laps. The short climb in Metzer Straße is steep and could offer the chance for a late attack on the overall victory of the Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024, especially on the last lap.
Stages of the Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024
Prologue – Wednesday, August 21): Schweinfurt – 2,9 km
Stage 1 – Thursday, August 22): Schweinfurt – Heilbronn – 177 km
Stage 2 – Friday, August 23): Heilbronn – Schwäbisch Gmünd – 173 km
Stage 3 – Saturday, August 24): Schwäbisch Gmünd – Villingen-Schwenningen – 212 km
Stage 4 – Sunday, August 25): Annweiler am Trifels – Saarbrücken – 172 km
