Friedrichshafen - Ravensburg - Cycling Simulator

Welcome to Germany's southernmost region for an action-packed day of OCM racing! The route from Friedrichshafen to Ravensburg could have been a short one with roughly 20km between both towns; but rather than taking this possible shortcut, the riders will take a wide swoop through the magnificent alpine upland and the Algäu region to reach the finish-line high above the medieval town of Ravensburg with all its many towers.

The day's action will kick-off right on the shores of Lake Constance - affectionately known as the "Swabian Sea" by locals. A remainder of the last ice-age, Lake Constance is Germany's largest lake both in value and area; represents a part of the country's southernmost border with Austria and Switzerland, respectively; and supplies vital drinking-water to millions of households in southern Germany. In fact, where it is widest in the region around Friedrichshafen, the opposite shore might be hard to make out. Yet, if conditions are right, the majestically towering snow-covered peaks of the high Alps can be see off in the distance - a faintly glowing counterpoint to the icy depths of the lake below which reach up to around 250m.

With this scene being set, it is hardly a wonder that the Kings of the Kingdom of Württemberg chose the Friedrichshafen shoreline of Lake Constance to spend the summers at and built their summer-residence here. In the shadow of this royal palace, the riders will gather to tackle the day's race.

After leaving Friedrichshafen, the peloton will make its way through the region's hilly terrain, passing woods, reeds, meadows, wide fields and green pastures along the way. This is old country and the the landscape of the region has been shaped by centuries of human cultivation. During the 134km race along the route to Ravensburg, the peloton will pass the towns of Wangen, Isny, Leutkirch and Waldburg - all of which still offer a display of their medieval past.

However, the most splendid example of the region's proud past, will be on display in today's town of destination: Ravensburg. First appearing in official documents all the way back in 1088, the town's medieval center survived the carnage of WWII largely unscathed. Local rumor has it, that Ravensburg and the neighboring Weingarten avoided allied air-raids due to the British royal family's historic roots in the region. Whatever the real truth of this matter, the historical fortune provides us a glimpse into what an important medieval German free-town and trading-centre might have looked like.
However, the medieval centre will not be entered into on the way up to the finish-line in the shadow of the Veitsburg with a splendid view on the sprawling town below - a fact that the riders probably will be glad to hear as this means the uneven cobbles paving many roads there will be avoided by them. However, the way up to the Veitsburg towering above town will be hard enough. This will be also where the final decision about the outcome of the day's race will be taken - either from a break-away or out of the main peloton.

High up on the "Burgberg" (castle-mountain) the riders will cross the line to reach the end of the race. And what better place could there be to finish off the day? Even if today's rather small villa-like pleasure palace hails from the mid 18th century, the large medieval castle that once stood in its place has left its mark on history.

Remember that story about the British royal family hailing from here? This place would be the exact location where one of their main roots lay. The "Ravenspvrg“ (which loosely translates to "Ravens'-Castle" and lent its name to the town beneath) that stood here before burning down during the 30-years' war, became the ancestral home of the House of Welf back around 1050. Henry the Lion, one of medieval Germany's most important regents, is thought to have been born here in 1129 into this royal house. It is from this ancient noble and royal dynasty that far later the Royal House of Windsor would spring.

Another first-tier name intrinsically connected to this place is that of the Staufer or Hohenstaufen dynasty. It was them who took over both the reign of the Holy Roman Empire and the the Ravensburg. Under the rule of the royal house of Staufen the medieval empire blossomed and reached its largest extensions. It is thought that the last male descendent of this once mighty and proud house Conradin left from Ravensburg for his last fatal battle. Aged a mere 16, he was executed in 1268 in Naples.

With all that history hanging overhead during the day's racing, who will conquer, who will be left behind when the attack on the castle-mountain starts? Who will have his head crowned on this historic spot above Ravensburg? Who will be king for a day where kings and emperors once feasted?