By Susan Westemeyer
The Niedersachsen Rundfahrt will be held this year under a new name, Lotto Rundfahrt, representing its newest sponsor. The race will run five stages from April 24-29 through the German states of Niedersachsen and Nordrhein-Westfalen, over 888.1 kilometres.
A total of 14 teams of eight riders will take part. The ProTour will be represented by Milram, Rabobank, Gerolsteiner, T-Mobile, and Astana. The Professional Continental teams taking part will be Wiesenhof-Felt, Skil-Shimano, Ceramiche Panaria Navigare, and Navigators. Three Continental teams, all German, are also participating: 3C-Gruppe Lamonta, Regiostrom Senges, and Thüringer Energie. Two additional teams will be announced later.
The stages outline as follows:
