Germany Review – Day 6
  
  So, after five days of hard racing and controversy, the Germany Tour comes to its conclusion today with the Parade race into Berlin. Champagne will be enjoyed along the way, most probably by riders of the squads from Mypa, CCFC and Equipo Easy On, before the sprinters battle it out one last time.
  
   Germany Tour trivia
  
  Stage 10: Potsdam - Berlin
  
  The riders could cover the distance from Potsdam to the Brandenburger Tor in 45 minutes, would they take the shortest route.
  
  However, traditionally this is a joyride and no attacks are expected on this stage. The route that takes the riders in a spiral into the heart of Berlin is neither hilly, nor technical. Newcomers to Germany tour are always surprised how much water and forests can be found in Berlin, especially in the outskirts. It would not be a surprise if the riders came across foxes or the odd boar. Getting closer to the finishing line, there will be more spectators and the stage will end in a very short and straight hard sprint right in front of the Brandenburger Tor. Before, the non-sprinters may have enjoyed quite a number of tourist sites.
  
  The Brandenburger Tor has maybe become the symbol of German history in the last century: war, liberation, capitulation, division, cold war, the Berlin wall, reunification.
  
  By Eli
  
   Day 6 Racing News
  
  After

yesterday’s carnage, tour organisers were hoping for a quiet day to end the Germany Tour and they got it. After the festivities on the way to Berlin were enjoyed by all, most notably Ian Defley (Dodge) whose straight line speed was somewhat compromised by his drunken wobbling, Xander Posthuma (Hommerts Cycling Team), took the victory on the line. So often the Dutchman has been a leadout for leader, Susumu Miyazaki, but today he was given license to win and that he did.
  
  Kyle Abston (CCFC) finished in a lowly 5th place, for him anyway, but crucially one place above Broderick Rimmer (Equipo Easy On), and therefore claimed the Green Jersey competition for the second year in succession. The ‘Green Goblin’ as he is now referred to by pundits took a SC haul of 187 points, not quite as high as his record breaking 190 from last year, but I’m sure he won’t be complaining.
  
  Yegor Astapkovich (Mypa) finished towards the back of the peleton, arms aloft, finally crowned the King of Germany. It is a stunning result for the rider from Azerbaijan, who has never previously won anything in OCM, let alone the top division. Indeed, Astapkovich did not manage a podium on any stage, but a consistent series of finishes is what wins Tours. The win gives Mypa their second Tour win of the season following Herbert Andersson’s success at the Volta. For a team that started the Season in Division 2, winning both Tours in one year is a stark achievement and shows they should be a team to be feared in the Tours for the foreseeable future.
  
  So, an amazing Tour comes to an end. It has been a wonderful Tour to be involved in – fine racing, bust ups and bloodshed, bold tactical decisions, perhaps the biggest Tour mess up in OCM history and the closest ever finish to a Germany Tour – just 4 seconds. Roll on season 14!