Stage 1 Essen - Herford (202.6km)
The first road stage covers just over 200 kilometers, taking the riders from Essen to Herford, still in North Rhine-Westphalia. The route heads northeast and includes 1,200 meters of climbing, most of it packed into the final 50 kilometers. Mountain points are available on the Stromberg (500 meters at 7.2%) and the Sennberg (1.1 kilometers at 6.6%), but these are unlikely to influence the finale.
Just before the finish, bonus seconds (3-2-1) can be earned at the intermediate sprints, with additional time bonuses of 10, 6, and 4 seconds awarded to the top three at the finish line. A sprint finish in Herford is the most likely outcome.
Stage 1 Essen - Herford (202.6km)
The first road stage covers just over 200 kilometers, taking the riders from Essen to Herford, still in North Rhine-Westphalia. The route heads northeast and includes 1,200 meters of climbing, most of it packed into the final 50 kilometers. Mountain points are available on the Stromberg (500 meters at 7.2%) and the Sennberg (1.1 kilometers at 6.6%), but these are unlikely to influence the finale.
Just before the finish, bonus seconds (3-2-1) can be earned at the intermediate sprints, with additional time bonuses of 10, 6, and 4 seconds awarded to the top three at the finish line. A sprint finish in Herford is the most likely outcome.