Mass participation meets professional sport: ADAC Cyclassics turn Hamburg into a cycling capital for one weekend

August 13 ^th 2025 - 10:36

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.

Before the elite field arrives in Hamburg, the city belongs to the mass participation riders. This year, the two courses over 60 and 110 kilometers will be held separately. Both offer a professional racing experience: the shorter loop covers familiar terrain through Hamburg’s west and follows the finale of the elite race, while the long course leads from HafenCity to Buxtehude and through the districts of Stade and Harburg before returning to Hamburg. For the long-distance riders, this means twice crossing the iconic Köhlbrand Bridge – shortly after the start and again in the closing kilometers – with panoramic views of the port from both sides.

Throughout Sunday, the ADAC Cyclassics Expo will be open on Hamburg’s Rathausmarkt, offering a full program of activities. The action kicks off already the day before, when young riders take to the Mönckebergstraße right next door, alongside shopping and cycling talk. In the Bikeleasing Kids Race, the youngest riders will show their skills right on the professional finish line.

For those unable to attend the race or visit the city center, NDR will broadcast live on TV from 15:15 to 17:00. The ADAC Cyclassics will also be available via livestream on NDR Sportclub live, sportschau.de and discoveryplus.com.

All traffic-related information and road closures for the day can be found at verkehr.cyclassics-hamburg.de.

Quotes:

Christoph Holstein, State Councillor for Sport, Hamburg Ministry of the Interior and Sport:
“Even in its 28th edition, the ADAC Cyclassics prove their outstanding importance as one of Hamburg’s top ten events. As a WorldTour race, they are a must for many professional cyclists and an unforgettable experience for dedicated amateur athletes alike. This year’s course over the Köhlbrand Bridge is a clear sign of how perfectly major sporting events fit with Hamburg. It’s a confident statement in view of future national and international bids – and especially for the Olympic Games.”

Matthias Pietsch, Managing Director, A.S.O. Germany GmbH:
“The Cyclassics are a prime example of how elite sport, mass participation, the expo, and a family festival merge into one major shared event. This year, with the start in Buxtehude and the integration of new route elements such as the additional Waseberg climbs and the double Köhlbrand Bridge experience, we are setting special highlights. This not only brings more classic character to the professional race but also offers the mass participation riders a true pro feeling. We are delighted to involve the entire metropolitan region and turn Hamburg into a cycling capital for a weekend.”