Deutschland Tour Spectators cheer on racers in the city
Bonn · Around 20,000 spectators were on hand in Bonn city center to cheer on the racers in their final sprint of the first stage of the Deutschland Tour. The racers cycled 157 kilometers from Koblenz to Bonn.
ormally he is cheering on the professional cyclists but on Adenauerallee, Didi Senft was hyping up the crowd, “Hey, heya fans! Let’s go!” Wearing his devil’s costume, he is a popular photo opportunity and he certainly lifts the mood.
With the summer temperatures, it was a great atmosphere in the finishing area of the first stage of the Deutschland Tour, between the Hofgarten Park and the Koblenz Gate. Many visitors came to Bonn city center to see the finish of the first stage of the race. Official sponsors of the Tour and other Bonn clubs and companies erected tents and pavilions.
Colombian wins first stage
Colombian Alvaro Jose Hodeg of Team Quick-Step Floors was the victor of the first stage of the race with a time of 3:35:08. He beat out reigning German Pascal Ackerman of Team Bora-Hansgrohe, who landed second place. The first stage of the race was 157 kilometers between Koblenz and Bonn.
The 131 cycling professionals started out in Koblenz, participating in the first Deutschland Tour held in ten years. Racers zoomed at full speed over the Kennedy Bridge and past the Hofgarten to Adenauerallee, where some 20,000 spectators cheered on the sprinters to the finish.
Spectator experience
Even for visitors, there was a chance to get active. They could try out a racing simulator, equipped with special software that adapts the brake to artificial ground conditions. And Bonn Stadtwerke (Bonn municipal works) had E-bikes for those who wanted to do a test drive. Several hundred meters from the finish, former professional cyclist Jens Voigt took time to be with the children as they did their own “mini-Tour”. The Tour de France stage winner said it was about getting children interested and excited about the sport at an early age.
As the broadcast of the race began on the large screen, the crowd grew. Already at lunchtime, the first spectators arrived in the finish area. Many fan clubs from the region were there to support the racers, with big posters and banners.
From the perspective of police, all went without a hitch. There were no incidents reported. The nice weather and the good mood made for a kind of cycling folk festival. And spectators got an exciting view into the world of professional cycle racing.
Second stage on Friday
On Friday, the second stage of the race begins in front of the Poppelsdorf Palace on Meckenheimer Allee. The racers start out at 10:40am and will reach their goal in Trier after a healthy 196 kilometers.
Orig. text: Sebastian Knauth, Matthias Kirch. Translation: ck
