The Sparkassen Münsterland Giro is a one-day cycling race across Münster and the Münsterland region. It takes place annually on October 3, the Day of German Unity, and is the third largest cycling event in Germany. Not only thousands of everyman cyclists start here every year, but also many international cycling professionals.

A special feature of the Giro is that the routes change every year. The Münsterland offers the perfect conditions for this: There are easy flat routes here, but also challenging climbs, such as in the Teutoburg Forest or the Baumberge. If you are a passionate cyclist, the Giro definitely offers the right route for your taste. For the female riders among you, there are workshops and track test rides for all races so that you can familiarize yourself with the routes and thus enjoy maximum riding fun.

For all Everyman cyclists, three different courses will be offered: The Sparkasse Münsterland Cup (65 km), the Westfälische Provinzial Versicherung Cup (95 km) and the LBS Cup (135 km). The starting fees are different in each case, all information can be found on the website of the Münsterland Giro.

The professional race goes over 200 kilometers and, as the season finale, is one of the most important one-day races in Germany. The race starts in the Dutch town of Enschede, then continues through the Münsterland region to the finish in the city center of Münster. The elite of cycling meets here, well-known riders include André Greipel and Marcel Kittel, both Tour de France participants.

The very young cyclists are of course not forgotten. At the GIROlino, children from 3 to 5 years of age will complete the 100-meter GIRO course on Schlossplatz with their bikes. Kids from 6 to 14 years can start with their bikes in the fat-tire race for the Kids Cup. They will be accompanied by cyclists and can win great prizes.

In addition to the cycling competitions, there will be a large supporting program for young and old. On action areas and stages on the Schlossplatz, cyclists, artistic and unicyclists and many more from all over Münsterland will present themselves. This is complemented by activities and various events in the communities and municipalities along the respective routes.

The history of the Münsterland Giro begins with the stage race of the Giro d'Italia from Groningen to Münster. From 2000 to 2004, professional cyclists rode this route in preparation for the Giro d'Italia. In 2006, the Sparkassen in Münsterland and their partners offered to support cycling in Münsterland as main sponsors. Even then, it was decided to change the routes annually for races and, among other things, to run through town centers. The plan behind this was and still is to organize an attractive experience for riders and spectators.

More information about the Sparkassen Münsterland Giro can be found on its website (website in German, translatable with Google Translate).