We take a look at the route as Team Sky embark on the five-day Bayern-Rundfahrt in Germany.
Preview of the 33rd edition
This late-May blast takes in some of the toughest roads in south-east Germany and has the reputation as a fast and furious affair.
Generally this race has been the domain of German rouleurs but Team Sky's Geraint Thomas became the first British winner of the event last year.
The Bavarian parcours provides something for every rider and will ensure the race is hotly contested amid picturesque surroundings.
Team Sky's seven-man team consists of 2008 winner Christian Knees, Thomas Löfkvist, Danny Pate, Richie Porte, Michael Rogers, Kanstantsin Siutsou and Xabier Zandio.
Stages
Wednesday May 23 - Stage one: Traunstein to Penzberg - 215.7km
The riders leave the start in Traunstein and skirt around the freshwater lake of Chiemsee with intermediate sprints at Eggstätt and Prien am Chiemsee. The route then heads south-west and takes in climbs at Torwang and Oberaudorf/Sudelfeld, which is the high point of the day at 1,011m. From there, the stage is downhill all the way, going through the town of Bad Tölz towards a conclusion in Penzberg, where there is a final intermediate sprint seven kilometres from the finish.
Thursday May 24 - Stage two: Penzberg to Kempten - 195.6km
Heading out from Penzberg, the riders are on a gentle incline throughout the first 115 kilometres with intermediate sprints at Pfronten and Oy-Mittelberg. They must then tackle two category one climbs in the space of 25 kilometres at Wertach-Oberellegg and Immenstadt-Knottenried respectively. The route then descends into Kempten where there is a further intermediate sprint before the finish.
Friday May 25 - Stage three: Kempten - Treuchtlingen - 196.4km
After leaving from the town of Kempten, the high point of the stage comes after 24 kilometres with the category two climb at Ronsberg/Wolfs. The route then heads in a north-eastern direction, taking in intermediate sprints at Mindelheim, Donauwörth and Treuchtlingen, where the stage also finishes.
Key stage
Saturday May 26 - Stage four, individual time-trial: Einzelzeitfahren in Feuchtwangen - 26.4km
The individual time-trial takes place over a flat 26.4 kilometres in Feuchtwangen. Starting and finishing in the city centre, the riders follow a clockwise loop through Dentlein a.Forst and Dürrwangen which should allow them to go eyeballs out for the duration.
Sunday May 27 - Stage five: Feuchtwangen to Bamberg 167.8km
The concluding stage provides a relatively flat run from Feuchtwangen to Bamberg with just a category two climb at Ipsheim-Bühlberg after 69 kilometres to trouble the riders. There are also intermediate sprints at Leutershausen, Neustadt a.d.Aisch and Bamberg, which comes shortly before the finish in the same city.
Tactics
As defending champions in the race Team Sky will look to put in a repeat performance in a race which was the catalyst for a run of momentum last season. A strong squad in good form will look to take the initiative and move into a prominent position ahead of the crucial 26.4km time trial on the penultimate stage.
Team Sky history
Team Sky have good memories of this race after Geraint Thomas claimed his maiden professional win last year. Thomas' victory capped an excellent week for Team Sky as Edvald Boasson Hagen and Bradley Wiggins also bagged stage wins.
