This Sunday August 17th sees the 28th edition of the Hamburg Cyclassics. After departing from Buxtehude, the 207.4 km route takes the bunch into the Waseberg circuit, featuring its iconic steep climb (700m @10%, with ramps up to 16%) 5 times. On the final loop, the crest comes just 16 km from the finish, which is a gently undulating run-in on Mönckebergstraße with five technical turns in the last five kilometres. We will surely see sprinters’ teams and breakaway specialists fighting for the win, at high speed on the narrow road. 

Phil Bauhaus lines up as Bahrain Victorious’ designated ‘fast man’, making his 5th appearance in Hamburg. Having placed 7th in 2022, he will be supported by Matevž Govekar as a lead-out man, while Matej Mohoric, Fred Wright and Robert Stannard are set to race aggressively into the second part of the parcours. Kamil Gradek and Alberto Bruttomesso round up our 7-man roster, and will play key roles in positioning. It is an experienced group, many of whom are familiar with the event, having ridden Hamburg Cyclassics before. 

Aart Vierhouten, lead Sports Director in Germany, explains that there are some differences to the profile this year.

“This year it’s a bit of a different parcour. The organisers made some changes. They have made it a bit more difficult for a bunch sprint in the finale, so they will elimate some of the sprinters with the very technical 11km circuit which includes the Waseberg climb.

Going over the Waseberg multiple times makes it a different race in the final. From the last time uphill, we will have 16km to the finish. It’s not too far, so it challenges the riders to attack. Anyway it will be a nice race to watch on television for sure.”

“For us as a team we are ready. Of course when the sprinters come off and come back in the end, there will be other teams to close the gap to the breakaway riders. We have Phil Bauhaus in that case together with Matevž. But before of course we want to race and be part of the race with our leader Matej Mohoric. He came good from Tour de France and has new goals for the last part of the season, and also of course in Hamburg. Besides Matej, we have Fred Wright and Rob Stannard, so those 3 guys are pure classic racers, and they will love this new circuit at the end deep in the final. So it’s up to them to race and to be sure they are part of the breakaway. I have a strong feeling this year the breakaway will go to the end and fight for the win at the line, considering the other years. I am pretty confident with our riders. And if the race comes back with a group of 30-40 riders, then it’s up to Phil Bauhaus to be there together with Matevž, who will lead Phil in the final sprint.”