The Women’s Cycling Grand Prix, a brand new cycle race, is set to take place in Stuttgart and its vicinity this July. A distinguished Olympic champion in Lisa Brennauer has lent her expertise in charting the route.
The race will commence in Tamm, within the district of Ludwigsburg, then ascend sharply to Schillerhöhe in Gerlingen. Following a brisk stopover at Schloss Solitude, it will culminate with four concluding circuits within the city of Stuttgart. The Women’s Cycling Grand Prix, a global cycle race designed for professional and budding riders, aims to showcase Stuttgart and the neighbouring region in the most favourable manner.
Women’s Cycling Grand Prix 2023 Route Map
Come the 16th of July, around 120 competitors representing 20 teams and ten nations will gather at the starting line from 2 p.m. onwards (with live coverage on SWR Sport). They will undergo a competitive test of the route conceived by Lisa Brennauer and Albrecht Röder. Brennauer, a former professional rider and current sports director of the Women’s Cycling Grand Prix, along with Röder, a route planner and co-owner of an event agency specialised in various cycling events across Germany, have jointly orchestrated this event.
At a Glance
- The Women’s Cycling Grand Prix will take place for the first time on July 16, 2023.
- The start of the race is in the town of Tamm in the district of Ludwigsburg.
- The route then runs through other towns in the district of Ludwigsburg to Leonberg (Böblingen).
- The sometimes most difficult passage is the ascent to the Schillerhöhe in Gerlingen: with a gradient of up to 15 per cent, it’s 1.5 kilometres uphill.
- The route has a total length of 105 kilometres, with almost 1,400 meters in altitude to be mastered.
- After the Schillerhöhe you pass Solitude Castle, there is also a cobblestone passage here.
- The finale of the race takes place in downtown Stuttgart, after four final laps the decision is made at the finish line at Marienplatz.
Valuable input for chief planner Röder and his team was and is given by Lisa Brennauer, Olympic champion and multiple world champion, one of the most successful riders of recent years. After retiring in 2022, she was hired as the Sports Director of the Women’s Cycling Grand Prix.
“I think that an all-rounder will feel comfortable on the course. Someone who can handle the climbs but still has the punch at the end.”
Lisa Brennauer
Brennauer’s ambition is for the biggest group possible to enter the final circuit as one, ensuring a thrilling climax. An imposing 400 metres of altitude difference will also form part of these circuits. The prospect of a solo victor breaking away at the opportune moment is just as feasible as a sprint finish. The Women’s Cycling Grand Prix debut already has the potential to be a race with an exciting finish.
