Written by Finz of NightmareChaos
  
  Germany Tour starts again, the biggest of all "Grand Tours". Let us take a look at the stages and the favourites. Many good riders at the start so, do not be upset if you are not mentioned. You are still good, just not that good.
  
   Kiel Prologue
  Eight kilometers of road in the center of Kiel. Just a short stint for the many timetrial specialists. Many are keen to set a good time here and put the competition behind. Biggest favourite here is Melvyn Jegou of Drapeu Noir.
  
   Kiel – Bremen
  The first stage will go from Kiel to Bremen and will take the riders two hundred fifteen kilometers westwards. This flat stage will be the first test for the sprinters and to get hold of the green jersey. Biggest favourite will be young Gerd Alards of Team Revolutie. Let us see what he can do here.
  
   Bielefeld – Cologne
  From Bielefeld to Cologne is the second stage. The riders enter the big Ruhr area with the big industries and many cities competing for space. This almost flat stage will be a chance for the other sprinters to attack the winner of last stage. We believe Tadaki Ko of Yuri SuperTeam will be ready to steal a victory here.
  
   Cologne – Frankfurt am Main
  The first big test is stage four. Hills and a few mountains of second tier await

the riders. We will probably see the climbers upfront and the strong hillers. The general classification will be forged here. Frankfurt am Main will see a strong man win and Farley Rednan of Gradient Levellers is a hot favourite here.
  
   Frankfurt am Main – Heidelberg
  With the Rhine on our right hand we head south, from Frankfurt to Heidelberg. This hilly terrain will give some interesting attacks from the grimpeurs and puncheurs. Young Ola Skår of Team Unibet should be able to snatch a victory here and maybe even wear the yellow jersey for a day or two
  
   Heidelberg – Freiburg
  Still following the Rhine river south we start the stage in Heidelberg and ride to Freiburg. This race will see us many climbs and will certainly show us a completly new overall classification. Last stage winner will probably do good but, keep an eye on Ejnar Rosenborg of Il Grillo.
  
   Munich (ITT)
  When we are in Southern Germany we can never miss Munchen. Bavaria and it's capital is a must see for everybody. The riders are here for their big timetrial. Fifty-nine kilometers against the clock. Will some riders fail and will others shine, that is always a question in advance. Some riders are easy to pick as being good here. David Ballesteros of Yuri Superteam is one of them.
  
  

Munich – Kempten
  The big one. Five tier one climbs await the riders and only the best ones will survive this stage without major damage. Because every rider will be damaged here. Forget the overall classification from yesterday, today will be different. Will there be surprises today, yes for sure. But only surprises of people who did not make it. Theodoor Holtslag of Rode Stier will be present, that is for sure.
  
   Leipzig – Potsdam
  If you want to make up time, this is the stage to do so. One hundred seventy kilometers over hilly terrain from Leipzig to Potsdam. Those who still want to do something for the overall classification need to use all their strength to pass some riders in front of them. Could Aldis Meijers of omega pharma lotto surprise us here and prove his transfer money worth.
  
   Potsdam – Berlin
  The last stage. It is more of a parade stage and the winner is already known. But there is always that green jersey people can fight for. Enough points to be earned here to upset some confident but unaware riders. Berlin will greet the rider with big numbers and Brian Hitchens of Jonas Pro Cycling is known for winning parade races.
  
  
  A top three you ask, my favourites are Farley Redman for an overall victory and he is contested by Ola Skår who will win the youth jersey. The green jersey will go to, Melvyn Jegou.
  Good luck.