The Werkself mounted their bikes at 09.30 CET in Bad Bertrich with Koblenz as the target destination. 90 kilometres a day are on the agenda and the first 25 kilometres saw the group travel a delightful route through the vineyards along the Moselle – there was definitely a touch of quality relaxation in this environment. "Wonderful," was the assessment of head coach Heiko Herrlich, "I can well imagine going for a ride here with my children."
The nature of the route suddenly changed after the first short break in Senheim. The Bayer 04 pros then faced a more exerting mountain section with a rise of 200 metres over 1.6 kilometres. The Werkself split into three teams for this challenge with the time at the target destination measured against the last rider of each group. The search was on for kings of the mountain in the squad: Victory went to captain Lars Bender with his team including new signing Mitchell Weiser and 'mountain flea' Leon Bailey.
The reward for the winning sextet included an appropriate external recognition with a white ribbon with a red dot – reminiscent of the shirt worn by the best mountain rider in the Tour de France. "It was logical that we made the running as our team was brilliant and we pushed ourselves," said Lars Bender with a grin. At the end of the day it wasn't down to the ability to push as the other groups led by Sven Bender and Kevin Volland certainly put a shift in on the saddle. The assessment of the Werkself skipper: "It's a good change and it's great fun even if a few of us have got aching legs tonight."
At the halfway stage after 45 kilometres it was time for a refuelling stop in Cochem. After lunch the group travelled as a closed formation towards the destination of Koblenz. Recovery and regeneration are on the agenda at the hotel – and the Bayer 04 physios will certainly have their hands full massaging tired calf muscles.
On Monday the cycling fraternity will travel 85 kilometres from Koblenz to Bonn with the final 55 kilometres on Tuesday as the Werkself head home to the BayArena. After two days off on Wednesday and Thursday, the next open training session will be on Friday at 16.00 CET.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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