Women's Thuringia Tour 2025: Cancellation shocks cycling fans!

Women's Thuringia Tour 2025: Cancellation shocks cycling fans!

The cancellation of the traditional Thuringia tour for women, which was an integral part of the cycling calendar for almost 40 years, is causing disappointment in the region and beyond. It is a bitter setback for women's cycling, which has become increasingly important in recent years. The 37th edition of the “LOTTO Thuringia Ladies Tour”, originally planned from June 17th to 22nd, 2025, was canceled for financial reasons. The total budget for the event was around 650,000 euros, but a promised funding of 200,000 euros was unexpectedly canceled by the new state government under Prime Minister Mario Voigt (CDU).

The tour boss Vera Hohlfeld made it clear that because of the abrupt cuts it was too short a time to close the financial hole that had arisen. “A tour organized by the private sector cannot be financed almost 80 percent from public funds,” replied the State Chancellery, which caused a lot of dissatisfaction. Hohlfeld sees it completely differently: She described the cancellation as disrespectful to the team and vehemently objected to the fact that the tour does not also represent an international advertising platform for Thuringia. “Compared to the funding for football, we find the financial support for cycling to be unfair,” she expressed her concerns.

Willingness of the state government to talk

Mario Voigt signaled that the state government was willing to talk, but it remains to be seen whether the organizers will change their mind. The State Chancellery had already made an improved offer of support, but the organizers considered it insufficient to eliminate the uncertainties in the financial situation. On March 17, Hohlfeld and her colleague Marian Koppe announced the cancellation of the tour, citing critical financial support from the Free State of Thuringia as the main reason for the withdrawal.

The loss of a highlight in women's cycling, which has attracted over 100 starters, including numerous top riders, and ten World Tour teams in recent years, is particularly regrettable. A look back at the previous edition in 2024 shows that the American Ruth Winder triumphed and the event represented a significant platform for female athletes. Hohlfeld announced that a detailed statement on the background to the cancellation will follow next week.

Future of the event uncertain