Racer Townsend clinches double victory, triumphs in Hamburger Cycling Race
In the heart of Hamburg, Germany, the annual spectacle of the Hamburg Cyclassics unfolded, with the 28th edition of the race attracting a strong field of professional cyclists from around the world.
The Race Course
The 2025 edition of the Hamburg Cyclassics started in Buxtehude, marking the first time the race ventured outside Hamburg since 2015. The extended course of 207 km made it the longest in recent years, with increased climbing due to multiple ascents of the Waseberg.
Notable Participants
The start list included all 18 UCI WorldTour teams and 5 UCI ProSeries teams, featuring prominent squads like Israel-Premier Tech, Lotto, Uno-X Mobility, Q36.5 Pro Cycling, and Tudor Pro Cycling. The race attracted top sprinters and classics specialists, with notable entrants such as Wout van Aert.
The Race
The 160 professionals passed through iconic Hamburg landmarks like the Köhlbrand Bridge, Elbe beach, Jungfernstieg, Reeperbahn, and Waseberg five times during the race. However, the race was not without its challenges. Sprinter Phil Bauhaus crashed about 50 kilometers from the finish but managed to continue.
The Finish Line
The finish line on Hamburg’s Mönckebergstraße lived up to its reputation as a prestigious event for sprinters globally. In a surprising turn of events, Rory Townsend from Team Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team secured the victory, with Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny) and Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) finishing in second and third place, respectively, behind Townsend.
Other Notable Finishes
Belgian star Wout van Aert, who replaced the ill defending champion Olav Kooij in the field of participants, finished in a respectable position despite joining the race at short notice. Jasper Philipsen, a top sprinter and compatriot of Wout van Aert, confirmed his participation at short notice in the Cyclassics. Philipsen finished fourth in the race, with his sprint rival Biniam Girmay finishing eighth.
The Amateur Races
Around 10,000 amateur cyclists started on two different courses in the Cyclassics. The organizers reported "usual" incidents during the amateur races, with an ambulance being deployed 21 times.
The Hamburg Cyclassics, officially called the ADAC Cyclassics, remains a well-established, annually contested race featuring a mix of sprinters and classics riders. Its winners vary year to year with no repeated long winning streaks, reflecting its competitive nature. The 2025 race, with its challenging course and strong field of WorldTour teams, expanded its tactical complexity, making it an exciting event for both participants and spectators.
Sports enthusiasts were treated to a thrilling display of cycling prowess during the 2025 edition of the Hamburg Cyclassics, as the race ventured outside Hamburg since 2015 and featured a longer course with increased climbing. Notable participants included top sprinters and classics specialists, with prominent squads like Israel-Premier Tech, Lotto, Uno-X Mobility, Q36.5 Pro Cycling, and Tudor Pro Cycling participating.
