2008 Deutschland Tour presented

A prologue in Kitzbühel, Austria will open this year's Tour of Germany, organisers revealed at the route presentation yesterday. The ski resort will also host the start of Stage 1, before the race ventures into Germany, taking in Munich and then heading to the south-west of the country.

"This year the route is again very challenging, but balanced, where any type of rider has a chance to shine," said Milram's Christian Knees. "It will stay suspenseful until the end. Especially the end of the race, close to our sponsor Milram, will be additionally motivating for us."

Neuss, near Düsseldorf, will host the finish of Stage 6. From there the riders head north to the 35 kilometre individual time trial in Bremen, which will conclude the only German ProTour stage race.

"The Deutschland Tour is the flag ship of German cycling, and therefore also an indicator for its state," said defending champion Jens Voigt. "The 2008 route stands for a great event and a suspenseful race, where you have to attack right from the gun. That is what I am going to do, as I would like, if possible, to win here one more time."

Race organiser Kai Rapp was happy to announce an interesting route with attractable stage towns. "Together with our sponsors and ARD, we will present an animated and suspenseful 2008 Deutschland Tour," he said. "This is especially nice taking into account that it's the 10th anniversary [the race is older, but was interrupted and resurrected ten years ago - ed.]" BH