Hamburg’s annual major obstacle, the Waseberg – which, for the first time in five races, was not crossed until 15 kilometres from the finish – did not decide the race this year, but it did set the stage for the outcome. This was because two of the day’s big favourites, Jonathan Milan (Lidl – Trek) and Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM), failed to make it into the leading group, which comprised a good 30 riders at the finish.
Magnier, however, was in the mix – having finished third just a year ago. This time, though, the 22-year-old was unbeatable, proving to be by far the strongest rider on the slightly uphill home straight. He celebrated his seventh win of the season, the 30th of his professional career – and his first in a one-day race on the WorldTour.
“The race really suits me, with its explosive climbs. That’s why I was confident right from the start,” said Magnier. “We just had to make sure we brought the breakaway group back. The last time we went over the Waseberg, we were going so fast that nobody could attack anymore.”
The German professionals also performed well in the final. Henri Uhlig (Alpecin - Premier Tech) sprinted to fifth place, finishing ahead of both Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarché) and Sören Waerenskjold (Uno-X Mobility). Jonas Rutsch (Lotto Intermarché) was part of the breakaway and was the last rider from the group to be caught 15 kilometres from the finish, at the summit of the Waseberg.
ADAC Cyclassics 2026 – Results
ADAC Cyclassics: Buxtehude - Hamburg
ADAC Cyclassics 2026: ADAC Cyclassics, Buxtehude - Hamburg
| Rnk. | Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soudal Quick-Step | 04:17:55 |
| 2 | XDS Astana Team | +00:00:00 |
| 3 | Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe | +00:00:00 |
| 4 | Groupama - FDJ United | +00:00:00 |
| 5 | Alpecin - Premier Tech | +00:00:00 |
| 6 | Cofidis | +00:00:00 |
How the 2026 ADAC Cyclassics went
With Rutsch and Niklas Behrens from Bremen (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), two Germans were part of the early six-man breakaway group, which built up a lead of more than four minutes after the start in Buxtehude.
Between the first and second ascents of the Waseberg, a second chasing group formed around Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) and Tim Rex (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), but they were never really able to pull away from the peloton. Nevertheless, the gap to the leaders also narrowed during this phase, leading to further attacks from the peloton. Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) and Gianni Vermeersch (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) formed a duo 60 kilometres from the finish, but they too were unable to stay ahead for long.
Del Toro gives it a go at Waseberg for the last time
The situation was different for the original breakaway group. Their lead had dwindled to one and a half minutes with 40 kilometres to go. As the peloton climbed the Waseberg for the penultimate time, Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis) attacked from within the group, leaving all the other riders behind except Rutsch. The pair held on until the final ascent. They had a 15-second lead at the foot of the 700-metre climb, which had a gradient of just under seven per cent. Rutsch just managed to hold on just ahead of the attacking Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) as they crossed the summit, and thus went on to cross the finish line with the winning time.
Del Toro’s attack ensured that the pace was high enough to shake off sprinters such as Milan and Kooij. However, he was unable to break away either, which created the ideal situation for Magnier. He had his remaining team-mates work hard over the final 15 kilometres to ensure that the sprinters who had been left behind could not catch up again.
The manoeuvre was a success. In the sprint on Mönckebergstraße, the Frenchman proved unstoppable for his rivals. Behind him, the race was tighter. Teunissen finished second ahead of Pithie, who edged out Paul Penhoet (Groupama – FDJ United) by the narrowest of margins.
