Bicycle racer Townsend secures a double victory, triumphing in the Hamburger Cyclassics competition
In the heart of North Germany, the 28th edition of the Hamburg Cyclassics played host to a fierce battle between some of the world's top cycling stars. This WorldTour race, known for its blend of sprints and classic-style racing, saw the participation of Wout van Aert, Jasper Philipsen, Jonathan Milan, and Christophe Laporte, among others.
Wout van Aert, a key favourite and a strong contender in both sprints and classics-style races, replaced the defending champion Olav Kooij, who withdrew due to illness. Jasper Philipsen, a top sprinter from the Alpecin-Deceuninck team, and Jonathan Milan, fresh from winning two Tour de France stages and the green jersey, were also among the favourites. Christophe Laporte made a notable comeback to the race for Team Visma | Lease a Bike after a long absence due to illness.
Jasper Philipsen, a compatriot of Wout van Aert, confirmed his participation at short notice. The race covered a distance of 207 kilometers, the longest in the past five years of this one-day race. However, no German rider made it into the top ten of the professional race.
The race saw its fair share of drama. Sprinter Phil Bauhaus crashed about 50 kilometers from the finish but was able to continue. Unfortunately, Philipsen had to withdraw from the Tour de France due to a severe crash on the third stage in July.
In a thrilling finish, Rory Townsend emerged victorious, winning the Hamburg Cyclassics for the first time. He achieved this feat as part of a breakaway group that formed shortly after the start in Buxtehude. The victory came with a narrow margin over Arnaud De Lie and Paul Magnier.
Meanwhile, Philipsen finished fourth, with his sprint rival Biniam Girmay coming in eighth. The last time a German rider, André Greipel, won the Cyclassics was ten years ago. Around 10,000 amateur cyclists also participated in the event, with the professionals passing iconic landmarks such as the Köhlbrand Bridge, the Elbe beach, the Jungfernstieg, the Reeperbahn, and the Waseberg in the west of the city five times during the race.
The Hamburg Cyclassics started in Buxtehude, thus in Lower Saxony, for the first time. The race for amateur cyclists started on two different courses. Despite the usual incidents, with an ambulance called out 21 times, the event was a resounding success. Many roads in and around Hamburg were closed for the race, ensuring a safe and exciting environment for all participants.
Wout van Aert, participating in the event, replaced the ill defending champion, Olav Kooij. Jasper Philipsen, despite a previous severe crash, confirmed his last-minute entry.
