Kooij wins in Hamburg's sprinter's paradise
Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike) has won the BEMER Cyclassics 2024. The Dutchman won the expected bunch sprint on Mönckebergstraße ahead of Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) and Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty). Behind them were Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility).
"We went into the corner two kilometers before the finish in a good position. We knew that was very important. After that I followed the guys from Bora. Kristoff overtook me and kept the speed up, then let me find a good rear wheel. Then I opened up my sprint and was able to pull it off,” said Cyclassics winner Kooij, describing his race. "I didn't know where I stood today after I had to recover from a crash recently. I told the other guys in the team that I wasn't feeling so good that they could attack. But they then motivated me to give it a go. And so there was a nice surprise at the end." The 23-year-old's 36th career victory was his first on the WorldTour in a one-day race.
A six-man breakaway group broke away shortly after the start of the race, which started a little late and was therefore shortened by 20 to 178 kilometers, and dominated the majority of the day. Michael Mørkøv (Astana Qazaqstan), Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché-Wanty), Stefan de Bod (EF Education EasyPost), Andrea Vendrame (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Remi Cavagna (Soudal Quick-Step) and Cyrus Monk (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) had a lead of more than seven minutes at one point.
11,000 participants transform Hamburg into a cycling metropolis
More than 11,000 amateur athletes have once again made the BEMER Cyclassics the biggest cycling event in Germany. With 20 degrees, plenty of sunshine and little wind, the first starters set off from 7:30 a.m. on the Alster in Hamburg to compete in the Cyclassics60 or Cyclassics100 through the Hanseatic city and the surrounding area of Schleswig-Holstein.
The first 30 riders reached the finish line in Mönckebergstraße, where the pros would later sprint for victory, after just 1:11 hours. They had ridden the shorter lap. After several attacks on Kösterberg, the leading group only came together again around 500 meters before the finish. There, Nico Hörnig from PSV Rostock proved to be the best sprinter. Just under four minutes later, Miriam Gensicke was the first woman to cross the finish line.
Hanno Rieping defended his title from the previous year on the long lap. The man from Mannheim also prevailed in the sprint of a group of more than 50 riders. He needed a good 2:10 hours for the victory. Victory in the women's race went to Switzerland. Irina Lützelschwab won as a soloist and crossed the finish line just half a minute after the first men.
Voices of the favorites
After almost 200 kilometers of cycling through Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein on Sunday, it is clear who will win the BEMER Cyclassics 2024. Once again, the sprinters are the favorites, hoping for a bunch sprint on Mönckebergstraße in the heart of the Hanseatic city. But there are also a number of challengers who are hoping for a different outcome. This is what the protagonists have to say.
After his recent successes, Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) is one of the first contenders for victory: "We are tackling the BEMER Cyclassics after an important and successful phase of the season. After the Olympic Games, I worked hard to bring my condition up to a high level. And then came the results, first at the Lidl Deutschland Tour, then at the Renewi Tour," said the 23-year-old, who already has eleven victories to his name this season. "I'm now expecting a good level of competitiveness again in Hamburg. The team will be a key component in controlling the course of the race. In this respect, I am very happy to have a strong team at my side. We will do everything we can to continue our winning streak."
Hamburg celebrates Germany's biggest cycling event with the BEMER Cyclassics
The BEMER Cyclassics will move thousands of cycling enthusiasts for a whole weekend, before the professional race with the world's best sprinters on Sunday marks the highlight of the major cycling event.
On September 8, 161 riders from the 18 WorldTour teams and the five best second-division riders will roll through Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein over almost 200 kilometers to finally determine the best sprinter in a sprint royale on Mönckebergstraße. Although the Waseberg, which has to be crossed three times, has executioner potential, the star line-up of fast men and their teams will do everything they can to bring about a bunch sprint.
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike), Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) and Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) are the four best sprinters of the season at the start. In addition, Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), who won the green jersey at the Tour de France, Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny) and Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility) are further challengers who want to have a say in the fight for the Cyclassics title.
From a German perspective, Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious), Pascal Ackermann (Israel - Premier Tech) and Max Kanter (Astana Qazaqstan) have the best chances. However, if the race goes differently, Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates), Maximilian Schachmann (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe), John Degenkolb (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Simon Geschke (Cofidis), Georg Zimmermann (Intermarché-Wanty), Marius Mayrhofer (Tudor Pro Cyling Team) or Jannik Steimle (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) could also cause a surprise.
Sprinter summit in Hamburg
BEMER Cyclassics attract the fastest men in the world to Mönckebergstraße
The best sprinters in the world will meet in Hamburg on September 8. At the BEMER Cyclassics, not only the fans can expect a sprint royale on Mönckebergstraße after almost 200 kilometers, but apparently also the 23 teams that will be at the start. Almost every team is sending its fastest man in the squad to the Elbe a week before the European Championships. Six former winners are taking part in the showdown of the sprint elite. And at least as many who want to celebrate their premiere victory at the Cyclassics.
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) and Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike) are the four most successful sprinters this season. The quartet has an impressive 37 victories between them this year. Over their entire careers, that makes almost 150. What they are all missing is a victory in Hamburg. In 2024, each of the quartet will have the chance to change that, as they lead the Cyclassics' prestigious list of starters.
Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) is also in the race and thus the green jersey of the Tour de France. The Eritrean also has five wins this season. Like Philipsen, he has won three of them in the world's most important cycling race. And what Girmay was at the Tour de France, Milan was at the Giro d'Italia. The Italian won the Maglia Ciclamino, the jersey for the best sprinter of the Giro, for the second time in a row. He also took this classification jersey at the recently concluded Lidl Deutschland Tour with three stage wins.
BEMER Cyclassics are looking for volunteers for September 8th
Many hard-working helpers are needed to secure a world-class cycling race. Volunteers are also needed for the BEMER Cyclassics Hamburg on September 8 to help with the organization of the race. In addition to the valuable experience that all volunteers can gain, they will also receive a salary.
In particular, marshals are needed to secure critical points along the 198-kilometer course. Not only during the professional race, but also when the amateur athletes of the Cyclassics 60 and 100 are on the roads. Support is especially needed in Halstenbek, Rellingen, Schenefeld, Pinneberg, Wedel and in the start and finish areas.
Any responsible person of legal age can take part. There will be a volunteer training course beforehand. Each volunteer will be provided with a T-shirt, a volunteer bag and a high-visibility vest. In addition, the assignments are remunerated in monetary terms and are within the minimum wage range.
Groups or clubs are also welcome to register and work together on entire sections of the route. Interested parties can register here:
BEMER Youngclassics: Four stages and a guest appearance in Barmstedt for the first time
When the BEMER Cyclassics turn Hamburg into a German cycling stronghold on September 8, young cyclists will once again have the chance to showcase themselves. The BEMER Youngclassics is one of the most prestigious stage races in the U17 age group. The top German and European riders of tomorrow compete here, with around 150 riders at the start. Nils Politt and Pascal Ackermann, as well as Jasper Stuyven on the international stage, have used the race as a springboard to great professional careers.
The Youngclassics will open the cycling weekend on Friday. A total of four stages over three days are on the program for the juniors. It starts with a nine-kilometer individual time trial in Oldendorf (Luhe) in the south of Hamburg, Lower Saxony. The following day, there will be a 12.5-kilometre team time trial in the morning, followed by a 70-kilometre circuit race in neighboring Soderstorf.
BEMER Cyclassics 2024 almost 200 kilometers long
It is the question of questions that arises every time at the BEMER Cyclassics Hamburg: Will a breakaway group manage to pull out enough of a lead on the Waseberg on September 8 to decide the victory on Mönckebergstraße among themselves, or will it be the sprinters who come out on top again in the end? At 197.9 kilometers, the 2024 route is slightly shorter than in previous years, with only minimal changes. However, these differences could further increase the chances of the fast men.
After signing-in at the Hotel Atlantic and the start on the Kennedy Bridge between the Outer and Inner Alster Lakes, the Cyclassics route initially leads in a north-westerly direction through Hamburg for five neutralized kilometers before the sharp start on Holstenkamp. Passing the Volksparkstadion, the route crosses the border into Schleswig-Holstein at Schenefeld. There, after just eight kilometers, the first of three ŜKODA sprint finishes should motivate an early leading group to attack.
The route continues via Rellingen, Tangstedt and Quickborn to Barmstedt. North of the small town, two 20-kilometre laps are on the agenda between Bokel and Mönkloh, before heading back towards Wedel via Barmstedt and Pinneberg. Here, after 125 kilometers, the second sprint classification will slowly but surely open the finale. Shortly afterwards, the race returns to Hamburg via Tinsdal. While the route has been almost completely flat so far, the decisive climbs now await.
Bikeleasing-Service new partner of the BEMER Cyclassics Kids Race
Germany's leading provider of corporate bike leasing and sustainable mobility solutions is taking over the patronage of the popular Kids Race in Hamburg. The 'Bikeleasing Kids Race powered by Cyclassics Hamburg' will provide fun on two wheels for kids between the ages of two and twelve on September 7 on Mönckebergstraße.
The finishing straight of the pros forms the racetrack for 200 meters. Here the kids can feel like their idols when they experience a real goosebump experience for themselves and their parents with cheering spectators at the side of the track. The youngest children, aged two to four, complete the course once on a running bike or bicycle. A sprint race with several runs and an award ceremony with individual prizes awaits the older children, who are divided into three age groups. Before the competitions, each child will receive their starting documents with a goodie bag at the Bikeleasing Expo booth on the Rathausmarkt and a medal after the races.
Sporty or with pleasure: with the Cyclassics through Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein
This year, the BEMER Cyclassics Hamburg will kick off on September 8. Before the professionals roll through Hamburg and the surrounding area, all amateur athletes can enjoy pedaling undisturbed on the main roads of the Hanseatic city, enjoying nature in Schleswig-Holstein and feeling the flair of the northern German metropolis in the finale.
There are also two routes to choose from this year. In addition to the long "Cyclassics 100" route, there is also the "Cyclassics 60". This is the route for all those who want to take it a little easier, get to know Hamburg from a different perspective or simply feel more comfortable on the shorter distance. Essentially, both laps remain on known roads and only deviate slightly from the course of recent years. For example, after a two-year break, it is possible to return to the Elbchaussee in its full length. After the construction work, it rolls better than ever on new asphalt. The finals of the short and long laps are initiated here between the noble villas and the Elbe beach. At Altona town hall, the route turns into Königsstraße. While the last visitors of the night slowly call it a night on the Reeperbahn, the end is also in sight for the amateur athletes. From the new town to the old town. Past the ramparts, a few bends later the last kilometer mark awaits at Rödingsmarkt. Then you reach Mönckebergstraße, Hamburg's famous shopping street, and the finish line.
The world's top cyclists back in Hamburg
All 18 teams from the WorldTour and five from cycling's second division make up again the starting field for the BEMER Cyclassics 2024. On September 8, the starting signal will be given for a top-class field of riders and an exciting cycling race of the highest category through Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.
The BEMER Cyclassics is the penultimate WorldTour race on European soil this season, where the sprinters have a chance of winning. Like Mads Pedersen last year, who put Danny van Poppel and three-time Hamburg winner Elia Viviani (2017 to 2019) in his place. Or surprise winner Marco Haller, who was faster than Wout Van Aert in 2022 out of a small group that crossed the finish line just seconds ahead of the field.
Their teams, Lidl - Trek, BORA - hansgrohe, Ineos Grenadiers and Visma | Lease a Bike will be fighting for victory on the Waseberg and also on the home straight in Mönckebergstraße, just like their competitors. Alpecin - Deceuninck, Intermarché - Wanty, dsm - firmenich PostNL and Jayco AlUla, whose squads focus on sprints and one-day races, also have this date marked on their calendar.
Ready for the BEMER Cyclassics in twelve weeks with the Rookie Program
For years, the BEMER Cyclassics in Hamburg have been inspiring thousands of people on their bikes and along the route. This year, too, hardly anyone will be able to miss this major sporting event on September 8. So why not take part yourself?
With its rookie program, the Radsport-Verband Hamburg e.V. offers interested people who have hardly or not at all been involved in the sport the opportunity to get fit for the 60 or 100-kilometre route within 12 weeks. An exceptional level of fitness is not a prerequisite, nor is a racing bike absolutely necessary.
The program starts on 21 June. Three training sessions are completed each week - usually on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with consideration given to working people during the week. In addition to cycling-specific training - endurance, strength, sprinting - the program also works on general fitness with core and stability exercises. There are also nutrition tips, as well as exercises on riding technique, riding in a field and communication on the bike. The sessions are led by trainers from the association. Of course, the social factor with fun and a sense of community is not neglected alongside the basic training.
Fabian Wegmann is the new Sports Director of the BEMER Cyclassics
When the top stars race for the title at the BEMER Cyclassics on September 8, a new sporting director will be sitting in the lead car of the WorldTour race. Fabian Wegmann is taking over the role from long-time race director Roland Hofer, who at the age of 80 is enjoying a well-deserved retirement.
Fabian Wegmann experienced a dozen Cyclassics editions himself during his professional career. At the end of his active career, the three-time German champion switched sides and took on the role of sporting director for the most important German races. He is already involved in the Eschborn-Frankfurt cycling classic, the Deutschland Tour and his home race, the Sparkassen Münsterland Giro. Now the BEMER Cyclassics, the second German WorldTour race, will follow.
Fabian Wegmann: "I'm really looking forward to the new task. I'm familiar with the GFR and A.S.O. teams - that's a big advantage when it comes to race planning. I've competed in Hamburg more often than in very few other races. So I know the character of the BEMER Cyclassics. Now I'm interested in what we can optimize and what adjustments we can make to sharpen the race character."
Entries prices for the BEMER Cyclassics drop - registration now open
Germany's biggest cycling event will take place again on September 8. More than 10,000 cyclists are expected to take part in the BEMER Cyclassics in Hamburg. Starting today, entries can be booked at www.cyclassics-hamburg.de. The highlight: while prices are rising everywhere, Cyclassics fans will be surprised with lower prices just before Christmas.
The Cyclassics experience starts at just 65 euros. For the next four weeks, until January 22, the entry can be booked at a particularly favorable warm-up rate. But it's not just the attractive price that is creating anticipation for the cycling summer: fan-friendly and transparent fixed rates are now available at www.cyclassics-hamburg.de. Booking or processing fees are a thing of the past.
If you want to take part, you can choose between the "Cyclassics 60" or the "Cyclassics 100". Two attractive routes, which after the start on the Kennedy Bridge lead over 60 or 100 kilometers through Hamburg and neighboring Schleswig-Holstein, will make your racing bike heart beat faster. The highlight for every starter is the finale, which awaits on Mönckebergstraße in the heart of the city after Elbchaussee and Reeperbahn.
Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Radsports is the new organizer of the BEMER Cyclassics Hamburg
The Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Radsports mbH (GFR) is taking over the organization of the BEMER Cyclassics. This means that the Hamburg cycling race is moving to the world's largest cycling organizer: GFR is the German branch of Tour de France organizer Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.).
With the takeover, GFR is expanding its event portfolio and now organizes the three most important cycling races in Germany. The BEMER Cyclassics and Eschborn-Frankfurt - the cycling classic on May 1st - are the only WorldTour races in Germany. In addition to the two events in the world's top racing series, GFR also organizes the Deutschland Tour - the only German stage race for men.
The world's best professional cyclists and 25,000 amateur athletes take part in the three events. Offers for young cyclists, everyday cycling and for children underline the enthusiasm for cycling at all GFR events.
