The 36th Bayern Rundfahrt won't go into the Alps and instead it will travel to the north after the start on May 13 in Regensburg before ending in Nuremberg on May 17. At today's presentation in Nuremberg, it was clear that the race is likely to be decided in the 26km time trial in Haßfurt on the penultimate day.

The race will have a total distance of 830.6 km and will be attended by the Giant-Alpecin team of local stars Marcel Kittel and John Degenkolb who will be riding under a German license in 2015. That was confirmed by race director Ewald Strohmeier in an interview with radsport-news.com. 

"I will do everything to be there in May," said Degenkolb who was especially pleased by the fact that the race will briefly visit Thüringen in stage 3. "It's one of my favorite races and goes through Bavaria and Thüringen whih are two of my home areas," he added.

André Greipel has already confirmed his participation. The Lotto-Soudal sprinter and German champion was present at the course presentation in Nuremberg. He last did the race in 2009. Since then his Belgian sponsors have forced him to do the Tour of Belgium which has traditionally been held at the same time. Due to changes in the race calendar, the German can now return to his home race.

Team manager of the second larget German team Bora-Argon 18, Ralph Denk, has made the overall victory his goal. In addition to a second participation in the Tour de France, that is the big goal for the team, he said in Nuremberg.

Apart from the individual time trial, the route seems to be tailor-made for classics riders. All four road stages have some climbs but could end in a sprint. There is no really big mountain stage like in 2014 at the Winklmoosalm.

The route:

Stage 1, May 13, Regensburg-Waldsassen, 221.3 km

Stage 2, May 14, Waldsassen-Selb, 179.5 km

Stage 3, May 15, Selb-Elbern, 205.9 km

Stage 4, May 16, Haßfurt (ITT), 26.1 km

Stage 5, May 17, Haßfurt-Nuremberg, 197.8 km