Marketing chiefs said they were unable to finance the nine-day race due to a lack of interested sponsors after the latest revelations of cyclists testing positive for the blood-booster CERA.

Beginning in 1911 a "national" cycling race of over 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) was held in Germany (which was then composed of several territories and kingdoms).

In 1931 the first Deutschlandtour was held, and it is generally agreed upon that the race was exciting and well organised between 1937 and 1939, the start of World War II.

Germany never had a significant road cycling history, unlike Belgium, France or Italy, which caused the race's popularity to depend on German successes.

In March 2016, the Amaury Sport Organisation announced it had signed a 10-year deal with the German Cycling Federation to bring the race back within the next two years.