This year, the Deutschland Tour made a stop in Halle (Saale) and Magdeburg, two cities that also play a central role in the concept for the Grand Départ 2030. In front of an enthusiastic audience, Central Germany once again presented itself as a region rich in tradition and passionate about cycling. Tens of thousands lined the routes, the riders were cheered on frenetically and the atmosphere along the route was already reminiscent of the flair of a Tour stage.
The enthusiasm was particularly palpable in Halle (Saale), where the city center became a huge cycling stage, and in Magdeburg, which, as the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt, demonstrated the diversity of the region. We had our own stand on site and were able to share the idea of a Grand Départ 2030 in Central Germany directly with the people. Whether children, families or long-time cycling fans, all generations were inspired by the vision and showed that the region is ready to host the biggest cycling event in the world. A clear signal also came from the political side. Sven Schulze, Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry of Saxony-Anhalt, delivered the message from Minister President Dr. Reiner Haseloff and, together with the Lord Mayor of Halle (Saale), spoke out strongly in favor of the application. Schulze emphasized:
„The added value for tourists will not be worth the money.“
This support at the highest level illustrates the importance of the project far beyond sport. The Grand Départ in Central Germany would not only be a sporting highlight, but also a strong signal for Europe. Unity, peace and cooperation would take center stage, while the duel would take place exclusively on the road. The Tour de France could thus become a celebration of European solidarity on the 40th anniversary of German reunification. The Deutschland Tour was an important yardstick for the bid. It impressively demonstrated that Central Germany not only has the infrastructure and the sporting tradition, but that the people in the region are also wholeheartedly behind the project. The stops in Halle (Saale) and Magdeburg also made it clear what opportunities a Grand Départ opens up for the economy, tourism and international visibility. Hotels, restaurants and retailers are already benefiting from the enthusiasm for cycling, a foretaste of the dimensions that a Tour start in Central Germany could unfold.
The Deutschland Tour 2025 has shown that cycling connects, Europe is growing together and Central Germany is ready for the big stage.
