The race formerly known as the Vattenfall Cyclassics, known to most riders as simply “Hamburg,” is a rare opportunity for the purest of sprinters to nab a WorldTour-level one-day win. As such, it’s probably no surprise that the cream of the sprinting crop are in Hamburg this weekend to do battle in a showdown likely to provide an early indicator of who’s in form ahead of a sprinter-friendly worlds road race.
The Route
Notwithstanding a few yearly minor changes to the race distance, the main idea for the Cyclassics is always the same: ride around the Hamburg suburbs for 2.5 hours or so, then do a few loops on a somewhat challenging circuit headlined by the Waseberg climb, less than 1km but with an 8% gradient. That’s the case again this year.
Typically, there are a few attempts to escape the peloton as things near a conclusion, but it’s almost inevitable that the sprinters’ trains reel in the late moves to set up a high-speed showdown.
The Contenders
Hamburg may be a race that rewards the fastest of finishers, but it’s still a one-day race with a non-negligible climb in the finale. As such, the sprinters who don’t mind Classics-style racing tend to thrive.
André Greipel is the defending champion, and it’s hard to see anyone else as the top favorite heading into Sunday’s race. For pure speed when in peak form, Greipel is among the two best on the startlist. He’s also a proven winner who doesn’t mind one-day racing. The only question for Greipel is consistency—he does tend to disappear on occasion, so don’t be all that surprised if he’s not in the best position in the finale. Then again, don’t be surprised if he smokes everyone on the finishing straight either.
Alexander Kristoff is another former winner with a great shot. He’s not the very fastest rider in a drag race, but he more than makes up for it with Flanders-winning grit. Expect a strong performance from the three-time podium finisher.
John Degenkolb, the 2013 winner, is also fully capable of winning again, especially having shown strong form in the Arctic Race of Norway, where he claimed the points classification and a stage victory. If he’s really back to his best, he’ll be a dangerous contender at the finish, and like Kristoff, he shouldn’t have any trouble making it there even if the race is hectic late.
Marcel Kittel is the wildcard on the startlist. On peak form he’s the fastest man in the race, but he hasn’t been on peak form this year, and he’s also never been much for top-level one-days. I see him as a favorite, but not the favorite that his speed might otherwise dictate.
Arnaud Démare is yet a former winner with a shot, especially after he showed off just how strong he can be with his Monumental win in Sanremo this spring. Giacomo Nizzolo almost always contends (he’s a three-time podium finisher) and should almost certainly be there in the finale, though pulling off a win is always a tall order for the Italian. Danny Van Poppel, Nacer Bouhanni, Caleb Ewan, Sacha Modolo, and Tom Boonen are others to watch.
VeloHuman Top 10 Race Favorites
Winner: André Greipel
Podium: Alexander Kristoff, John Degenkolb
Other Top Contenders: Marcel Kittel, Arnaud Démare, Giacomo Nizzolo, Danny Van Poppel, Nacer Bouhanni, Caleb Ewan, Elia Viviani
Photo by Michael Behrens (CC).
