A Word of Welcome from the Head of the Administration of the District of Greiz and Patroness of the 29th International Ladies' Tour of Thüringen
I am very happy to be able to welcome this year's 29th International Ladies' Tour of Thüringen's participants and guests.
Since its very inception the International Ladies' Tour of Thüringen has been a very popular cycling event and stands in such as prestigious line as that formed by the Giro d'Italia femminile and the Holland Ladies' Tour. This is a very encouraging feat for all who commit themselves to women's cycling in Thüringen.
From the start at Gotha on the 15th of July through to the final stage around Gera on the 21st of July, we will be able to experience the high performance and appeal of ladies' cycling first hand.
Many teams, domestic and from abroad, will participate in this number-one women's stage race in Germany and will use it as a preparation for the Olympic Summer Games of Rio de Janeiro.
It is a well-known fact that when the Tour was just a baby, its cradle stood in the District of Greiz, and that's why I am particularly glad, as the head of the district administration, that Greiz and Zeulenroda-Triebes will again be stage hosts. This is evidence to the tremendous interest and commitment of our region to women's cycling.
Thüringen cannot only show itself as being a good sport and a welcoming region, we also boast scenic landscapes aplenty. Our guests are enthusiastic about the wooded hills, the open high plateaus that let the eye wander, and the range formed by the Thüringer Wald and Schiefergebirge middle mountains and on to the Vogtland hills, arguably one of the most beautiful landscapes in Germany.
A tribute deep from the heart goes to the sponsors and supporters, to TRF Thüringer Sportmarketing under the management of Vera Hohlfeld, to the organizing team and its many, many volunteers, without whose contribution this high-end event would simply be impossible to hold.
I wish the 29thth International Ladies' Tour of Thüringen that everything goes to plan, I wish cycling fans excitement and suspense, and I wish all our guests a fine stay.
Yours, Faithfully
Martina Schweinsburg