Women's Thuringia Tour 2025: Financial bankruptcy causes the tour to collapse!

Women's Thuringia Tour 2025: Financial bankruptcy causes the tour to collapse!

In a disappointing twist for cycling fans, it was announced today that the women's Tour of Thuringia, considered the oldest stage race in the world, will not be able to take place this year. How Thuringia24 reported, a financial deficit of around 650,000 euros forced the organizers to cancel the event. Above all, the cancellation of a promised funding of 200,000 euros by the new state government under Mario Voigt (CDU) had a significant influence on this decision.

Vera Hohlfeld, who was responsible for the organization, said that it was far too short a time to close the financial hole. The State Chancellery argues that a private-sector event cannot be financed to this extent with public funds, while Hohlfeld vehemently disagrees and emphasizes that the tour is an international advertising platform for Thuringia. She has already held unsuccessful talks with the new government and criticizes the disregard for the work of the organizing team.

Political reactions and hopes

Mario Voigt himself said that he hopes the organizers will change their mind, but it remains unclear whether this will be possible after the funding has been withdrawn. “We can only provide limited funding,” said Voigt after a cabinet meeting. He indicated that new funding offers could be developed, but nevertheless came up against the reality that a privately organized tour cannot be financed with almost 80 percent tax money, according to the state government's assessment.

The cancellation of the “LOTTO Thuringia Ladies Tour” was announced on March 17th and represents a bitter setback for women’s cycling. In 2024, Ruth Winder won the title and over 100 starters and ten World Tour teams took part. It remains to be hoped that a solution will be found in the coming years to bring back this traditional competition.

The importance of cycling

Meanwhile, cycling is also being promoted at the national level. According to that Federal Ministry of Transport Cycling contributes to achieving climate goals. Investment programs such as the “Cycling Model Project” until 2029 and the “Radnetz Deutschland” program are being initiated in order to improve the framework conditions in the long term.

The Thuringia Tour should not only represent a sporting challenge, but also serve as a showcase for the region. Their cancellation will not only slow down cycling, but also efforts to achieve environmentally friendly mobility. It remains to be hoped that something will change in the current situation soon and that the creative strength of the organizers will once again be required to bring Thuringia back into the international spotlight as a cycling hotspot.