From its onset while still named HEW-Cyclassics in 1996, Hamburg’s bike race for pros and age groupers, now in its 17th year, has become a classic. The world’s 18 best cycling teams will be at the start for the currently only pro race at the highest category of the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour in Germany. Additionally, the organizer can give away invitations (Wild Cards) to teams belonging to the second category, if they are integrated into the UCI’s Biological Passport Program, which is already compulsory for the pro teams.
Before the pros, 22,000 hobby cyclists will be pedaling through the city center and metropolis of Hamburg at the age group races. A good 800,000 thrilled spectators will accompany the race along the course, which will completely cordoned off from normal traffic. To top that off, a highly appealing trade and exhibition fair at Hamburg’s Jungfernstieg and Rathausmarkt will provide information and entertainment for people of all ages.
Course
The race courses of the Vattenfall Cyclassics take you through the Hanseatic City’s most beautiful sites as well as to the city proper. The region’s traffic will stop for one whole day for the sport. Nearly 2,000 helpers, from police officers, firemen as well as workers from the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) will keep the streets clear. 800,000 spectators push you to the finish line with their enthusiasm.
Distances
There are three different distances to choose from:
55 km distance: The 55 km distance course is the world loop of the Vattenfall Cyclassics. It sets out from the inner city over "Schenefeld" to "Schleswig-Holstein". Past the foothills of "Pinneberg", it goes over "Holm" to "Wedel", where thousands cheer the athletes frenetically each year. After passing the welcome point for ships in "Willkomm-Höft", participants must overcome “the Waseberg of age groupers’’ -- the "Kösterberg" in "Blankenese". From there, it goes to the "Elbchaussee", over the "Teufelsbrück" in the inner city’s direction. From the Reeperbahn, only a few kilometers remain until the homestretch "Mönckebergstraße". A minimum average speed of 25 km/h will be allowed for the 55 km distance.
100 km distance: The 100 km distance course is the south loop of the Vattenfall Cyclassics. After starting in the inner city, the course adjoins that of the 155 km’s, through the harbor and over the "Elbe Brücke" to "Harburg". After that, the first waves of the "Nordheide" begin. Through "Jesteburg", " Dierkshausen" and "Holm-Seppensen", the course’s southward path is marked off. The closely congregated spectators in "Buchholz" spur the riders on for second half of the race. Over "Emsen", "Langenrehm" and "Ehestorf", it heads back to Hamburg, with the highlight of the south loop, the "Köhlbrandbrücke", posing a task. Once back in the inner city, the courses of the 100 and 155 km distances break off. The cyclists of the 100 km distance sprint over "Jungfernstieg" and "Gänsemarkt" towards the finish in "Mönckebergstraße" and are blocked off from the west loop. A minimum average speed of 26 km/h will be allowed for the 55 km distance.
155 km distance: The 155 km distance course combines the south and west loops of the Vattenfall Cyclassics. Consequently, the first 95 Kilometers are identical to the course route of the 100 km distance. After the fields break off in "Klosterwall", the 155 km participants proceed to the west loop (identical to the 55 km distance). A minimum average speed of 31 km/h will be allowed for the 55 km distance.
Exhibition Fair
From 2:00 pm on Friday to 6:00 pm on Sunday, the trade and exhibition fair at the "Rathausmarkt", "Jungfernstieg" and the "Alste"r quay will provide lots of action, entertainment and fun for young and old alike. Enjoy the raffles, interviews and infotainment on the stage. Premiering products in the cycling world will be presented on over 80 booths. You should also not miss the bike auction at the "Rathausmarkt", with about 100 bikes to be auctioned off. Not only will you get to try out the products on offer; you can also purchase them there. Event modules will be made available for you to view and take part in.
Registration
Beginning 24 January 2012, we will be offering you two possible ways of registering: you can either directly sign up online here, or you can print and fill out the entry form and send it signed by post to the organizer’s address. Registrations by fax, e-mail or as a copy will not be accepted.
Elite
Just under 100 professional cyclists were on the start point at the premiere of "Hamburg’s bike race for pros and age groupers" in 1996. With the acquisition of World Championship status, Hamburg’s cycling race reached a milestone in 1998. Since 2005, the pro level races have been held as part of the sport’s pinnacle tournament, the UCI ProTour (sice 2011 UCI Wolrd Tour). For this reason, the event is considered as one of the sport’s major one-day cycling races in the world.
Youngclassics
From Thursday to Saturday, the Youngclassics will be featured as a multi-legged race for licensed cyclists of the U17 age group. The kick-off is a road race on Thursday in the Lower Saxony region. On Friday before noon, an individual time trial race will kick-off from the same place, followed by a road race on the „Grand Prix Buchholz“ course in the early evening. The final leg will commence on Saturday on the tried and tested 1.8km-long circuit around Hamburg’s "Binnenalster". In addition, a race for the U15 age group will also take place. The Youngclassics is advertised nationwide in Germany and targets the potential future competitors of the U17 age group. Competitors of other nationalities are also welcome. Teams from Belgium and Denmark have already taken part.
Specialclassics
Mentally challenged athletes from all over the country will be demonstrating their athletic ability around the "Binnenalster" at the Specialclassics on Saturday afternoon. Approx. 120 competitors fight for the standings and seconds on race bikes, mountain bikes and special needs tricycles.
