ADAC Cyclassics
The ADAC Cyclassics is a UCI WorldTour one day race held in Hamburg and the surrounding metropolitan region in northern Germany. Traditionally raced in August, the German classic combines fast, exposed roads with repeated climbs of the steep Waseberg before returning to the centre of Hamburg. While the race often favours sprinters and powerful classics riders, its demanding finale has produced a wide variety of winners since the first edition in 1996.
When was the first edition of the ADAC Cyclassics?
The first edition of the race was held in 1996, when it was known as the HEW Cyclassics. Italian rider Rossano Brasi won the inaugural race, which covered just 160 kilometres and remains the shortest edition in the event’s history. One year later, newly crowned Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich won in Hamburg, helping to rapidly increase the race’s profile in Germany and internationally.
How did the ADAC Cyclassics come into existence?
The race was created in 1996 under the sporting direction of former road world champion Rudi Altig. The aim was to establish a major professional cycling event in Hamburg at a time when the sport was growing rapidly in Germany. The success of Jan Ullrich and his victory in the second edition accelerated that development, and by 1998 the Cyclassics had joined the UCI Road World Cup alongside the leading one day races in international cycling.
Who has won the ADAC Cyclassics the most times?
Elia Viviani holds the record with three victories. The Italian sprinter won three consecutive editions in 2017, 2018 and 2019, becoming the first rider to win the Hamburg classic three times. Tyler Farrar is the only other multiple winner, taking back to back victories in 2009 and 2010.
Where is the ADAC Cyclassics held?
The race is centred around Hamburg in northern Germany and traditionally finishes on Mönckebergstraße in the heart of the city, close to the Rathaus and Inner Alster. Since 2025, the professional race has started in the Hanseatic town of Buxtehude before travelling through the Hamburg Metropolitan Region.
The finale features repeated passages over the Waseberg in Blankenese before the riders head back towards central Hamburg for the finish.
Who won the most recent edition?
In 2025, the ADAC Cyclassics was won by Rory Townsend. The Irish champion spent almost the entire race in the breakaway and produced a remarkable upset by holding off the rapidly approaching peloton in the streets of Hamburg.
Townsend launched his sprint around 400 metres from the finish and narrowly stayed ahead of Arnaud De Lie, with Paul Magnier completing the podium. It was Townsend’s first UCI WorldTour victory and the biggest win of his career.
What classification does the ADAC Cyclassics have?
The ADAC Cyclassics is classified as a 1.UWT event, meaning it is a one day race on the UCI WorldTour, the highest tier of professional men’s road cycling. Together with Eschborn Frankfurt, it is one of Germany’s two WorldTour one day races.
