On the 13th of August 1961, a historical milestone in the German history, the wall was built. A wall which would separate West-Berlin from East-Berlin and in that regard, from the rest of Eastern Germany. A black page in the history of Germany and the brutal after effects of World War II. On day 33 of every cycling season, we remember this historic event with a traditional Race to the Wall.
The race starts at the Bran...
Read moreOn the 13th of August 1961, a historical milestone in the German history, the wall was built. A wall which would separate West-Berlin from East-Berlin and in that regard, from the rest of Eastern Germany. A black page in the history of Germany and the brutal after effects of World War II. On day 33 of every cycling season, we remember this historic event with a traditional Race to the Wall.
The race starts at the Brandenburger Tor and it will first lead the riders out of Berlin towards Leipzig, where they will face some serious hills on the way. Leipzig is mainly considered as one of the largest urban centres in Eastern Germany and later played a big part in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. While passing through this city, the riders might notice a lot of German flags to celebrate the reunification of Germany. After Leipzig, the race will lead the riders to Magdeburg, another large city in Eastern Germany. Recall that even though Berlin was partly Western, it was located in the middle of Eastern Germany.
From Magdeburg, the riders return back to Berlin, to complete a 5 round criterium through the Western part of the city. After the final round, the riders will be redirected towards the Brandenburger Tor and from there the big finale is about to start. While riding with an enormous speed 'Unter dem Linden', strike fighters will fly over leaving behind the German national colours in their rear mirror. For the riders there is one corner to go towards Friedrichstrasse and their final destination: 'Checkpoint Charlie', the end of West-Berlin and the beginning of the wall. The fastest to the wall is indeed the winner of this historic cycling event.
