On August 17, 2025, Hamburg once again became the cycling capital of the North.
The ADAC Cyclassics 2025 delivered world-class racing and goosebump moments: breakaway rider Rory Townsend from Team Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team claimed victory ahead of Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny) and Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step).
Early in the morning, around 11,000 amateur cyclists took on the 110 km and 60 km routes through Hamburg and the surrounding districts of Stade, Harburg and Pinneberg – experiencing genuine WorldTour flair on sections of the pros’ original course.
ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg
Since 1996, the ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg has been a firmly established event in the global cycling calendar, inspiring both newcomers and experienced cyclists year after year. Every year, thousands of cycling enthusiasts come to the Elbe metropolis to experience this special cycling festival, and have been doing so for over 25 years. Whether you are a rookie or a first-time participant, the ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg is a must-do event in Hamburg's sporting summer.
The route profile of the ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg is mostly flat, making it perfect for first-timers and less experienced participants, but also a great opportunity for experienced riders to achieve a fast finish time - the right challenge for every level of performance and experience. Completely closed roads not only ensure the greatest possible safety, but also contribute to a unique riding experience.
In addition to the age group races, the ADAC Cyclassics offer an exciting supporting program with the Youngclassics, the stage race for the U17 age group, the professional race of the ADAC Cyclassics, which is part of the UCI WorldTour, and a high-quality trade fair at the Rathausmarkt and Jungfernstieg, with over 80 exhibitors from the lifestyle and outdoor industry.
Breakaway coup on the Alster: Townsend wins ADAC Cyclassics
It is the biggest surprise of recent years at the ADAC Cyclassics. While the question beforehand was whether sprinters or classic riders would secure victory in Hamburg, nobody had the breakaways on their radar. Not even the peloton. Because the winner was Rory Townsend (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), who came from the leading group that broke away after just a few of the 207 kilometers. The Irish champion saved two bike lengths from the approaching peloton. Second was Arnaud De Lie (Lotto), third Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step). Around 150,000 spectators followed the race along the route.
"Winning a WorldTour race is great," said Townsend after his surprising victory. For the 30-year-old, it was the sixth success in his professional career - and by far the biggest. "I knew that the chasers were coming from behind, my sporting director kept telling me the lead after the last climb. In the absolute final, I set off quite early because I normally have a good sprint. I don't know if that's still the case after such a hard day. So I started 400 meters before the finish and made myself as aerodynamic as possible. When I actually crossed the line first, you could probably tell that I couldn't believe it at all."
“Heart of the ADAC Cyclassics” a Great Success
Around 11,000 participants experienced a top-class cycling event on Sunday across the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. In the mass-participation event, described by A.S.O. Germany Managing Director Matthias Pietsch as the “heart of the ADAC Cyclassics,” amateur cyclists enjoyed perfect conditions. Fully closed roads, well-equipped feed stations, and excellent weather created a great atmosphere on both courses.
The Cyclassics 100 started in the port of Hamburg and featured a major highlight right from the beginning: crossing the iconic Köhlbrand Bridge, before heading toward Buxtehude and then joining the route of the professionals. At the finish line on Mönckebergstraße, Alexander Steffens won the sprint in 2:29:49 hours. The fastest woman was Kristina Lichte in 2:32:17 hours.
The Cyclassics 60, which—as in previous years—started between the Outer and Inner Alster and ran through western Hamburg, also ended in a sprint finish. Nico Hörnig repeated his victory from last year in 1:17:56 hours, while Anne Sophie Scholtz crossed the line with the same lead group in 1:18:01 hours, taking the win in the women’s competition.
“Active City truly lived up to its name again today,” said Pietsch. “I saw so many participants cross the finish line with a smile. Overall, we can look very positively at the changes we introduced. We separated the two routes to ensure greater participant safety, and it worked well. This is especially clear from the fact that we had only 21 medical transports due to crashes. For an event of this size with 11,000 participants, that number is not unusual. Most importantly, we didn’t have any mass crashes, which I’m extremely happy about.”
Van Aert, Milan & Co.: The voices of the ADAC Cyclassics 2025 favorites
On Hamburg's Mönckebergstraße on August 17, everyone will once again be waiting for the fastest sprinters in the world. However, the spectators will have to do without Olav Kooij. Last year's winner from Team Visma | Lease a Bike withdrew on Friday due to illness. His replacement, however, is none other than Wout van Aert. In addition, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), another top sprinter, has found his way onto the start list for the ADAC Cyclassics.
Van Aert, who will be competing in the Lidl Deutschland Tour from Wednesday anyway, is extending his stay in Germany by a few days without further ado. "When the idea came up a little earlier in the week, I was immediately on board," says the 30-year-old. "I only had to make a small adjustment to my build-up and training schedule to add this race. Hamburg is a WorldTour race that often turns into a battle between sprinters and strong classics riders. From my only participation in 2022, I know that the course suits me well." Van Aert finished second back then.
Jonathan Milan (Lidl - Trek) finished the ADAC Cyclassics last year with the same result. The Italian is once again one of the favorites thanks to his two stage wins at the Tour de France. "After the Tour, I was able to take some time to recover and reflect on what we achieved together," says the 24-year-old, looking back on winning the green jersey. "Now I'm ready for the next phase of my season and I'm looking forward to putting a race number on my back again at the ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg. I'm feeling good at the moment, I'm motivated. And we're going into the race with a really strong team. So I'm confident that we'll do everything we can to continue the team's winning streak this year."
Mass participation meets professional sport:
ADAC Cyclassics turn Hamburg into a cycling capital for one weekend
More than ten thousand cycling enthusiasts have marked August 17 in red on their calendars. That’s when the ADAC Cyclassics take center stage in the Hamburg metropolitan region. Alongside 161 professional riders – including the world’s best sprinters competing for a prestigious WorldTour victory – numerous amateur cyclists will take to the roads, enjoying car-free streets in the heart of the city.
This year, the race expands into new territory while adding even more of Hamburg’s signature atmosphere. For the first time, the 207-kilometer route will start in Lower Saxony, in the historic town of Buxtehude. Once the peloton crosses into Hamburg, the remaining 170 kilometers will stay entirely within the “Active City.” Along the way, riders will pass the finish line twice before the final dash for victory, with the iconic Waseberg climb featuring five times – a true challenge for the pros and a highlight for fans lining the route.
Even though the Waseberg has to be tackled twice more than last year – giving the race a more “classic” character – the sprinters have not shied away from committing to the event: last year’s winner Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Tour de France green jersey winner Jonathan Milan (Lidl – Trek), and Biniam Girmay (Intermarché – Wanty) will all return, meaning last year’s complete podium is back on the start line.
Top speeds in Mönckebergstraße:
Milan and Co. challenge last year's winner Kooij
Who is afraid of the Waseberg? Nobody! At least it seems that way, because the ADAC Cyclassics will once again bring together the world's best sprinters on August 17. After 207 kilometers through the Hamburg metropolitan region, starting in Buxtehude, the 23 teams are apparently expecting a bunch sprint on Mönckebergstraße. Almost all of them have their fastest men in the line-up. Here and there, however, there is also a wild card on the start list, which is headed by Olav Kooij.
Last year's winner from Team Visma | Lease a Bike is once again one of the most successful sprinters this season and has already proven his strong form in August. However, Kooij is only one of five former winners in Hamburg who are back in the field. Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling Team, 2022), Elia Viviani (Lotto Cycling Team, 2017 to 2019), Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility, 2014) and Arnaud Démare (Arkéa - B&B Hotels, 2012) are also among them.
However, last year's runner-up Jonathan Milan (Lidl - Trek) is likely to have a better chance of success. The two-time stage winner of this year's Tour de France, who also took home the green jersey of the best sprinter, has already celebrated eight victories this year. Although Biniam Girmay (Intermarché - Wanty) has not yet broken the knot in the course of the season, as third last year he completes the 2024 podium. With Jordi Meeus (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe), the last winner of a big city sprint this season in Copenhagen, and Kristoff, the fourth and fifth riders are also back.
Six new partners shape the ADAC Cyclassics 2025
The 29th edition of the ADAC Cyclassics not only marks the start of a new chapter in the sporting calendar - the face of the race is also changing in terms of partnerships. Six new brands will be involved in Germany's biggest cycling event for the first time in 2025. They will bring fresh perspectives, impulses and ideas - on and off the track.
The ADAC is supporting the ADAC Cyclassics 2025 for the first time as the name partner of the professional and amateur race - a visible sign of the growing importance of the bicycle in a changing mobility landscape. As a mobility club with over 22 million members, the ADAC brings experience, reach and a clear commitment to active transportation to the Cyclassics. The club also lends its name to the ADAC Velotour (Eschborn-Frankfurt) and the ADAC Cycling Tour as part of the Lidl Deutschland Tour - a commitment that underlines the claim to promote cycling visibly throughout Germany.
Lidl is a company that convincingly combines sport, healthy eating and social interaction. As the "Official Freshness Partner", Lidl sets healthy accents along the route - with fresh products, activities to participate in and a clear focus on exercise, conscious nutrition and family friendliness. Lidl is present at all three major German races, acts as the namesake of the Lidl Deutschland Tour, accompanies Eschborn-Frankfurt and now also the ADAC Cyclassics with its freshness concept - a commitment that combines cycling and lifestyle in a modern way.
Lidl is a partner of the three biggest cycling events in Germany
Lidl is setting another example for cycling in Germany: as an official partner of the ADAC Cyclassics, the company will also be involved in the Hamburg WorldTour race in future. As the "Official Freshness Partner", Lidl will also bring healthy impulses to the route - with fresh products and hands-on activities for fans and amateur cyclists. With the traditional race in the north, the company is expanding its partnership with A.S.O. Germany, the German subsidiary of the Tour de France organizer.
Lidl already lends its name to the Lidl Deutschland Tour and is a partner of the Eschborn-Frankfurt cycling classic. Now Lidl is also supporting the second German WorldTour race, the ADAC Cyclassics. The aim is to work with the organizers to get even more people interested in exercise, cycling and a balanced diet.
New host, familiar guests: 23 teams at the start of the ADAC Cyclassics
On August 17, the ADAC Cyclassics will experience a special edition: With Buxtehude as the new starting location and a revised route in and around Hamburg, the traditional race is about to undergo exciting changes. A total of 23 teams with seven riders each have confirmed their participation.
All 18 teams from the UCI WorldTour and five teams from the UCI ProSeries will be taking part. In addition to Israel - Premier Tech and Lotto, who are exercising their automatic right to start, Uno-X Mobility and the two Swiss teams Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team and Tudor Pro Cycling Team have also been invited. This means that the field of participants remains unchanged compared to last year - but the route will be presented in a completely new guise.
Ten years after the first start outside Hamburg, the race will once again begin beyond the Elbe metropolis: Buxtehude will welcome the field of riders and send them off on a 207-kilometer course - the longest Cyclassics edition of the past five years. The first 30 kilometers lead through the districts of Stade and Harburg before the peloton reaches the city of Hamburg. From there on, it's all about the racing:
With the return of the Köhlbrand Bridge, a Cyclassics icon celebrates its comeback. A novelty this year is that the Waseberg will be conquered in the first half of the race - a total of five crossings are on the program. The finale promises to be very exciting when the winner is crowned as usual on Mönckebergstraße.
Bikeleasing Kids Race makes children's eyes light up - registration open
The day before the ADAC Cyclassics, the stage belongs to the youngest: on Saturday, August 16, Hamburg's Mönckebergstraße will be transformed into a small racing arena for the Bikeleasing Kids Race. Children between the ages of two and twelve will experience their very special cycling highlight here on balance bikes, bicycles or small racing bikes, right on the home straight of the professional race. In the middle of the city, amidst the cheers of the spectators, cycling becomes an experience for children and their families.
Over a distance of around 100 meters, the youngest children from two to four years of age, who start on balance bikes, ride once along the official home straight. The five to twelve-year-olds can look forward to a 200-meter-long home stretch. Older children start in three age groups in several sprint races, including an award ceremony and individual prizes. Each child will receive a starter pack with race number and goodie bag before the start at the Bikeleasing stand on Hamburg's Rathausmarkt and a medal at the finish line as a memento.
The Bikeleasing Kids Race takes place on the Saturday of the event between 2 and 6 pm. The entry fee is 6 euros, with all entry fees going to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. This will support the inclusion project Sit'n Skate, which opens up new opportunities for people with disabilities to exercise. Registration is now open at bikeleasing.de/kids-race-cyclassics. You must have your own bike and a helmet to take part. Starting places are limited.
ADAC Cyclassics start in Buxtehude for the first time
On August 17, the Hamburg metropolitan region will be the scene of a cycling day full of premieres: For the first time in its history, the ADAC Cyclassics will start in Lower Saxony. Buxtehude and the district of Stade will welcome the UCI WorldTour riders for the start of one of Germany's most important one-day races.
Ten years after the first start outside of Hamburg - back then in Kiel - the starting gun will once again be fired outside the Elbe metropolis. Buxtehude welcomes the world's cycling elite. All 147 riders are introduced at an official team presentation on the market square in the old town. The starting signal is given around midday - and thus begins the longest Cyclassics edition of the past five years.
From Hanseatic city to Hanseatic city - 207 kilometers through the Hamburg metropolitan region
First, the peloton rolls slowly through the streets of Buxtehude in a neutralized start - very close to the fans. The route leads south to the district border, then for around 30 kilometers through the district of Harburg before the peloton reaches the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
A novelty: from the outskirts of the city, the pros will remain in Hamburg throughout. 170 kilometers through the Active City - there has never been more Hamburg at the Cyclassics.
From rookie to finisher - ready for the ADAC Cyclassics in twelve weeks
On August 17, Hamburg will once again become a stronghold of cycling: the ADAC Cyclassics will attract thousands of cyclists to the streets of the Hanseatic city. This year, the Radsport-Verband Hamburg e.V. is once again offering the tried and tested rookie program for all those who have little or no experience in cycling. In just twelve weeks, participants are specifically prepared for the 60 or 100-kilometer route - without any professional equipment or exceptional fitness.
Training is scheduled to start on May 30. Training takes place three times a week - Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays - with particular consideration given to working people during the week. In addition to classic endurance, strength and sprint training, the plan also includes core and stability exercises as well as units on riding technique, group communication and nutrition. The training sessions are supervised by experienced trainers from the association and offer plenty of team spirit and motivation as well as sporting structure.
"Our program shows how diverse and lively cycling is today: in 2024, the youngest participant was 21, the oldest 74 - and at 55%, the proportion of women was once again very high. We dedicate a third of the training time specifically to cycling safety in a group. Because if you don't train alone, but practise cornering, braking and swerving as a team, you can enjoy the race to the full. Last year, everyone reached the finish line safely - with pride, a medal and a big smile," says Frank Robben, Vice President of Competitive Racing and Off-Road at the Hamburg Cycling Association.
ADAC Cyclassics also inspire in winter: Current rate almost fully booked
On August 17, the ADAC Cyclassics will once again attract more than 10,000 cyclists to Hamburg. The Elbe metropolis provides the backdrop for Germany's biggest cycling event. The 28th edition of the Cyclassics is once again a hit: the entry fees were quickly booked out and only a few starting places are still available in the current PELOTON price category. If you want to take part cheaply in the summer, you have to be quick in the winter.
The Cyclassics experience currently starts at just 85 euros. However, there are only a few starting places left at this low price, as the current PELOTON rate will soon be sold out. As soon as the contingent is exhausted, registration will switch to the next rate group.
A recommendation for all cycling fans who want to experience more: The DUO rate is the current favorite at the ADAC Cyclassics. Taking part as a pair is even more fun, gives a safe feeling and even saves money. If you book two starting places, you get a discount.
Registration for the ADAC Cyclassics 2025 open
There's a special surprise for all cycling enthusiasts just before Christmas: registration for the ADAC Cyclassics is already open! The next edition of Germany's biggest cycling event will take place on August 17.
The Hamburg race welcomes the ADAC as its new namesake and is once again looking forward to welcoming more than 10,000 cyclists in 2025. There are still eight months to go until August 17 - plenty of time to look forward to the Hamburg summer. Those who book early will not only be rewarded with the prospect of a great cycling experience in the Hanseatic city. For a short time only, you can book your starting place at the low entry price of 69 euros. Because behind every price jump in 2025 there is also a limited contingent of starting places.
The "Cyclassics 60" and the "Cyclassics 100" will also be available in 2025. With these two attractive routes, both ambitious regular riders and amateur athletes planning their racing debut will get their money's worth. Closed routes and an unforgettable atmosphere make the ADAC Cyclassics a pleasure. The highlight for everyone is the finale, which awaits in the middle of Hamburg city center after Elbchaussee and Reeperbahn.
ADAC becomes partner of all A.S.O. events Germany
With the ADAC, A.S.O. Germany is a new partner that will be present at all three events from the 2025 season onwards. The ADAC is supporting the events in order to present its wide range of services for cyclists.
In future, the mobility club will be the name partner of the ADAC Cyclassics. This applies to both the elite and the amateur races in Hamburg. The club will also support the amateur cyclists' races in the Eschborn-Frankfurt cycling classic and will be the namesake of the ADAC Velotour. Next year, the Lidl Deutschland Tour mass sports race will be called the ADAC Cycling Tour. He is also a partner of the daily classifications in the country's largest tour for the international cycling elite. A total of around 25,000 participants will take part in all three races.
The partnership between ADAC and A.S.O. Germany is designed for the long term for all three events.
