Deutschland Tour presents course

The Deutschland Tour (Tour of Germany) presented its 2007 course in Frankfurt on Tuesday, which features some 1315 kilometres of riding over nine stages - including a Team Time Trial for the first time. The race will start in Southern Germany before heading into Austria for two stages, where riders will be faced by altitudes of up to 2600 metres in the Austrian Alps, with the final stage to be held in the Northern region of Germany, where the event will again finish in Hannover.

Last year's Deutschland Tour winner Jens Voigt (Team CSC) has said he is by no means a favourite to take a second consecutive victory at this year's event, describing the route as "particularly difficult" at its unveiling.

Some 192 riders from 24 teams are expected to lineup for the race which features a time trial, a team time trial, and three mountain stages. SW

Deutschland Tour:

Stage 1: August 10, Saarbrücken - Saarbrücken, 182,1 km
Stage 2: August 11, Team Time Trial, Bretten, 42.2 km
Stage 3: August 12, Pforzheim - Offenburg, 181.5 km
Stage 4: August 13, Singen - Sonthofen 184.2 km
Stage 5: August 14, Sonthofen - Sölden, Austria, 158,4 km
Stage 6: August 15, Längenfeld, Austria - Kufstein, Austria 191.9 km
Stage 7: August 16, Kufstein, Austria - Regenesburg, 190.3 km
Stage 8: August 17, Time Trial, Fürth, 40 km
Stage 9: August 18, Einbeck - Hannover, 142.8 km