Rund um Köln course presented

The Rund um Köln was snowed out in 2008, but the traditional Easter Monday race in Cologne, Germany is on track for 2009. For the first time in 10 years it will have a new course.

The race will start on the grounds of the Schwalbe – Ralf Bohle GmbH firm, a producer of bike tires, and the race's new sponsor. "Almost a million people are out along the route every year to see the riders," noted Frank Bohle, the company's director. "No sporting events move the people here as much as Rund um Koln."

The race will end along the Rhine River in downtown Cologne.

"After the snow chaos of our 100th anniversary edition last year, we are hoping for lots of sun on Easter Monday," said Artur Tabat, who has organised the race for 37 years, at a press conference Thursday.