More than ten thousand cycling enthusiasts have marked August 17th in red on their calendars. It is the day when the ADAC Cyclassics take center stage in the Hamburg metropolitan region. Alongside 161 professional cyclists, including the world's top sprinters competing for a prestigious WorldTour victory, numerous amateur cyclists will take to the streets, pedaling on car-free roads in the heart of the city.

This year, the race explores new territory, further enhancing Hamburg's typical atmosphere. For the first time, the 207-kilometer route will start from Lower Saxony, in the historic city of Buxtehude. Once the group crosses Hamburg, the remaining 170 kilometers will remain entirely within the "Active City". Along the route, the riders will pass the finish line twice before the final arrival, with the historic Waseberg climb to be tackled five times: a true challenge for professionals and a highlight for fans along the route.

Even though Waseberg must be tackled two more times compared to last year – giving the race a more "classic" character – sprinters have not shied away from engaging in the event: last year's winner Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), the Tour de France green jersey winner Jonathan Milan (Lidl – Trek) and Biniam Girmay (Intermarchè – Wanty) will all return, meaning the entire podium from last year will be back on the starting line.

Before the professional race arrives in Hamburg, the city will belong to the riders participating in mass events. This year, the two routes of 60 and 110 kilometers will take place separately. Both offer an exceptional racing experience: the shorter loop covers familiar terrain through western Hamburg and follows the elite race finale, while the long route leads from HafenCity to Buxtehude and through the districts of Stade and Harburg before returning to Hamburg. For long-distance riders, this means crossing the iconic Köhlbrand bridge twice – shortly after the start and again in the final kilometers – with a panoramic view of the port on both sides.

Christoph Holstein, State Councillor for Sports, Ministry of the Interior and Sports of Hamburg: "Even in its 28th edition, the ADAC Cyclassics demonstrates its exceptional importance as one of Hamburg's ten most important events. Being a WorldTour race, it represents a must for many professional cyclists and an unforgettable experience for the participating amateurs. This year's route on the Köhlbrand bridge is a clear sign of how major sporting events perfectly fit Hamburg. It is a confident statement in view of future national and international bids, and particularly for the Olympic Games".

Matthias Pietsch, CEO, A.S.O. Germany GmbH: "The Cyclassics are an excellent example of how elite sport, mass participation, expo, and a family festival merge into a single shared event. This year, with the start from Buxtehude and the integration of new route elements, such as the additional Waseberg climbs and the double Köhlbrand bridge experience, we are creating special moments. This not only gives the professional race a more classic character but also offers mass participating cyclists a truly professional feeling. We are pleased to involve the entire metropolitan region and transform Hamburg into a cycling capital for a weekend".