Germany 03 Sep – 06 Sep 2026 Class 2.2 – Stages – Class 2
Website www.sauerlandrundfahrt.de
The newly established Sauerland-Rundfahrt 2026 takes place from September 3 to 6, 2026. Transitioning from a one-day Bundesliga race to a four-day multi-stage event, it is the second major international men’s stage race (UCI 2.2) held in Germany.
🗒 Stage Schedule & Profiles
The four-day race covers a total of 403.5 kilometers across South Westphalia, packed with immense elevation gains:
- Stage 1 (Sept 3): Individual Time Trial in Brilon (13.5 km / 300m elevation gain) – Won by WorldTour professional Ben Zwiehoff.
- Stage 2 (Sept 4): Brilon to Siedlinghausen (123.6 km).
- Stage 3 (Sept 5): Circuit race in and around Wenholthausen (122 km / 3,200m elevation gain).
- Stage 4 (Sept 6): Arnsberg to the Kahler Asten mountain finish (133 km / 4,350m elevation gain), featuring the brutal 34% gradient of the Hirschberger Wand.
🏆 Classifications & Pelotons
Riders compete for the Pink Jersey (General Classification), Green Jersey (Points), and the Red Polka-Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains, dedicated to the late legendary commentator Paul Senske).
The starter field comprises virtually the entire German-speaking Continental scene alongside top-tier international development squads like Red Bull – Bora – hansgrohe Rookies, Lidl – Trek Future Racing, and Picnic – PostNL. You can monitor current standings and line-ups via Pro Cycling Stats.
🚴 Everyman / Amateur Race
Amateur cyclists can test their limits on Sunday, September 6, along the exact route used by the pros. You can choose between the medium distance (85–90 km) from Arnsberg to Eslohe or the full distance (133 km) completing the heavy climb up to Kahler Asten. Public entries and registration information can be found on the official Sauerland-Rundfahrt Website.
The official Instagram account for the Sauerland Rundfahrt (an annual road cycling race in Germany) is typically managed under the @sauerland_rundfahrt handle or through the main team account, @team_sauerland_nrw (Team SKS Sauerland NRW), which organizes and highlights the event.
Results
Stage 1 Results
- 1st: Ben Zwiehoff (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies) — 00:17:15
- 2nd: Miguel Heidemann (REMBE | rad-net) — +08
- 3rd: Eñaut Urkaregi (Lidl-Trek Future Racing) — +10
Stage 2 Results
- 1st: Max Bock (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies) — 03:05:48
- 2nd: Paul Fietzke (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies) — +07
- 3rd: Alexandre Trouvain (Development Team Picnic PostNL) — +07
General Classification (After Stage 2)
- 1st: Paul Fietzke (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies) — 03:23:30
- 2nd: Max Bock (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies) — +27
- 3rd: Finn O’Brien (Development Team Picnic PostNL) — +30
General Classification standings for the riders from Luxembourg (Team Lotto-Kern Haus Outlet Montabaur):
- 13th: Arno Wallenborn — +01:18
- 46th: Alexandre Kess — +07:58
Sauerlandrundfahrt Stage 3 Results
- 1st: HEIDEMANN Miguel (REMBE | rad-net) — 03:15:17
- 2nd: ADAMIETZ Johannes (REMBE | rad-net) — + 00
- 3rd: BEHRENS Eike (Team Lotto-Kern Haus Outlet Montabaur) — + 28
General Classification (GC) Overall
- 1st: FIETZKE Paul (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies) — 06:39:15
- 2nd: BOCK Max (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies) — + 27
- 3rd: O’BRIEN Finn (Development Team Picnic PostNL) — + 30
General Classification (GC) for Luxembourg Riders
- 12th: WALLENBORN Arno (Team Lotto-Kern Haus Outlet Montabaur) — + 01:27
- 57th: KESS Alexandre (Team Lotto-Kern Haus Outlet Montabaur) — + 24:51
Stage 4 Results (Arnsberg – Winterberg / Kahler Asten, 133 km)
- 1st Place: Arno Wallenborn (Team Lotto-Kern Haus Outlet Montabaur) – 03:17:05
- 2nd Place: Noah Lindholm (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies) – +00:04
- 3rd Place: Giacomo Ballabio (Team Vorarlberg) – +00:10
General Classification (GC) Top 10
- 1st Place (Pink Jersey): Paul Fietzke (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies) – 09:56:30
- 2nd Place: Max Bock (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies) – +00:27
- 3rd Place: Finn O’Brien (Development Team Picnic PostNL) – +00:30
- 4th Place: Johannes Adamietz (REMBE | rad-net) – +00:42
- 5th Place: Louis Leidert (Lidl-Trek Future Racing) – +00:53
- 6th Place: Alexandre Trouvain (Development Team Picnic PostNL) – +01:03
- 7th Place: Miguel Heidemann (REMBE | rad-net) – +01:06
- 8th Place: Eike Behrens (Team Lotto-Kern Haus Outlet Montabaur) – +01:07
- 9th Place: Andrin Züger (Run & Race – Solarpur) – +01:10
- 10th Place: Arno Wallenborn (Team Lotto-Kern Haus Outlet Montabaur) – +01:17
History
The Sauerland Rundfahrt is a prestigious road cycling race held in the mountainous Sauerland region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Established in its modern format in 2018, it quickly gained a reputation as one of the toughest single-day races on the German domestic calendar due to its heavy elevation gain and steep, short climbs.
Relaunch as a Major One-Day Race
2018
Organized by SV Sauerland NRW e.V., the race was launched to bring top-tier elite road cycling back to the Sauerland region. It debuted as part of the Müller – Die lila Logistik Rad-Bundesliga (the highest German national racing series) and covered roughly 150 kilometers with over 2,500 meters of elevation gain, running between Arnsberg and Winterberg.
First International Victories & Growth
2019–2021
Despite a temporary hiatus during 2020, the event returned strong in 2021. It attracted prominent German continental teams and international talent, reinforcing its reputation as a “puncheur’s paradise” with grueling finishes at high-altitude points like the Kahler Asten.
Upgrade to UCI 1.2 Status
2022
The race achieved official international status by joining the UCI Europe Tour as a Class 1.2 event. This upgrade allowed professional UCI Continental teams, club teams, and national squads across Europe to participate, significantly elevating its status on the global calendar.
Expansion to a Multi-Day Stage Race
2025–2026
Building on its success as a single-day event, organizers expanded the format to a multi-day stage race (UCI 2.2 status). This expansion established it as Germany’s second major professional stage race alongside the Deutschland Tour.
What Makes it Notable
- The Finish Climb: The race route frequently concludes with steep ascents toward Winterberg or the summit of the Kahler Asten, testing riders’ climbing abilities after hours of rolling terrain.
- Development Pathway: It serves as a vital proving ground for emerging German and European talent aiming to step up to UCI WorldTour teams.
- Local Organizers: The race’s development is closely tied to Team SKS Sauerland NRW, a UCI Continental team based in the region that acts as both host ambassador and competitor.
