Two German stage races in doubt

Two German stage races are facing an uncertain future. The 3-Länder Tour, formerly the Hessen Rundfahrt, has lost its manager, and the Niedersachsen Rundfahrt is still looking for money.

Christian Bergemann announced Wednesday that he was resigning from his duties as the Tour Manager for the 3-Länder Tour after five years, citing personal reasons. It was not immediately known whether the race will be held this year as scheduled, September 17-21. "Others will decide over the future of the Tour," Bergemann said in a press release.

Meanwhile, the Niedersachsen Rundfahrt organisers hope to decide this weekend whether the race will take place April 23-27 as planned. The event has lost about 100,000 Euro through the loss of sponsorship from the state of Niedersachsen and Volkswagen. Other sponsors, including Lotto Niedersachsen, Einbecker Brauhaus and Hit-Radio Antenne have already expressed their willingness to continue.

The race suffers from politics as the moment. Uwe Schünemann, head of the organising committee, "Verein Internationale Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt", has little time for the race at the moment as he is will be standing for election when the state of Niedersachsen votes on January 27.