The 29th edition of the biggest cycling event in northern Germany has finalised its routes. The organisers have announced the routes for the amateur and professional races. For the first time, the two amateur distances will bear the additional designations "The Challenge" and "The Experience". The 110-kilometre Challenge represents the sporting challenge, while the 60-kilometre Experience provides an introduction to the Cyclassics experience.
"The ADAC Cyclassics are being held for the 29th time this year and are known for the fact that many thousands of cycling enthusiasts at different sporting levels compete together," says Hendrik Heinz, Head of ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg. According to Heinz, the 110-kilometre challenge covers large parts of the UCI WorldTour route and offers a real classic feel.
"The Challenge" over 110 kilometres
The long-distance hobby race starts in Hamburg's HafenCity on Versmannstraße. The route leads twice over the Köhlbrand Bridge through the districts of Stade and Harburg with passages through the Alte Land and Buxtehude. In the municipality of Rosengarten, the climb up Rosengartenstraße is a key sporting section. The route returns to the city centre via Hamburg harbour to the finish line on Mönckebergstraße. A new feature of the route is the crossing of the New Elbe Bridge, which is passed twice.
Cyclassics "The Experience" over 60 kilometres
The shorter variant starts on the Alsterglacis road. The starting line-up extends to the Kennedy Bridge. The route runs through the western part of the city and the district of Pinneberg with sections in Schenefeld, Holm and Wedel. The Kösterberg and the Elbchaussee are sporting highlights before the route leads over the Reeperbahn to the finish on Mönckebergstraße.
Cyclassics UCI WorldTour race with Waseberg
The professional race starts in Buxtehude in the district of Stade. The field initially follows the course of the 110-kilometre route to Hamburg city centre. The race is decided in the west of the city: Five passages over the Waseberg in Blankenese characterise the finale. The 700 metre long climb has a maximum gradient of 16 percent. This is where the Van Rysel mountain classification is held. Between the climbs, the peloton returns to the city centre twice before the race ends on Mönckebergstraße after 206 kilometres.
"In the professional race, the legendary Waseberg, which is ridden five times, will once again play a decisive role in the finale," predicts Fabian Wegmann, Sports Director of the ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg. All three races finish on the shopping mile in the immediate vicinity of the town hall and Binnenalster lake. The participants ride on closed roads through Hamburg and the metropolitan region, sometimes on identical sections as the professionals.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
