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.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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