ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg

Hamburg Becomes a Cycling City

Once a year, Hamburg closes off its central inner-city loop – and tens of thousands of cyclists roll from Hamburg harbor over the Köhlbrandbrücke up to the Waseberg in Blankenese. The ADAC Cyclassics are by far the largest cycling event in Northern Europe and the only UCI WorldTour one-day race in Germany. Professionals and amateurs ride the same asphalt – a format that is rare in Europe.

Professional Race, Amateur Distances, and Kids Race

The sporting program includes several parallel races:

• Elite Race (UCI WorldTour): approx. 206 km, with five climbs up the legendary Waseberg in Hamburg's Blankenese district
• Amateur 110 km – the king's distance for ambitious hobby riders
• Amateur 60 km – family-friendly, with harbor panorama
• Kids Race for children aged 2–12 – the day before

Mönckebergstraße as the Finish Line

Mönckebergstraße, between the main train station and Rathausmarkt, becomes the finish line – with a full grandstand, announcer truck, and Hamburg crowd. Around Rathausmarkt and Jungfernstieg, the Cyclassics Expo runs parallel with bike brands, food, and family activities. In the Hamburg-Mitte district, this event is one of the most visited single-day events of the year.

Northern German Cycling Culture

The Cyclassics have been a firm fixture on the international cycling calendar since 1996. Rory Townsend (Ireland, Q36.5 Pro Cycling) won in 2025 with a time of 4:24:06 – proof of how fast the Hamburg course is, despite the hilly west. For amateur starters, the course remains the experience: riding over the closed Köhlbrandbrücke once in a lifetime, past the Elbe, Speicherstadt, and Reeperbahn.