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The route: from Buxtehude over the Waseberg to Hamburg

The race covers 205.3 kilometres, starting in Buxtehude in the district of Stade and running through the districts of Harburg and Pinneberg into the centre of Hamburg. Five passages over the Waseberg climb in Blankenese once again represent the race's key sporting challenge, before the decision is traditionally made on Mönckebergstraße. The course favours both fast breakaway groups and a bunch finish – making the ADAC Cyclassics one of the most open one-day races on the WorldTour calendar.

A sprint field of the highest calibre

Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) and Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) are among the leading favourites for victory in the sprint field. The line-up is rounded out by riders including Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets), Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling Team), Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious) and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarché).

Sprinters or breakaway riders – the decisive question

Despite the calibre of the sprint field, the key question ahead of the race remains whether the sprinters will even get a bunch finish on Mönckebergstraße. Last year, Rory Townsend (Unibet Rose Rockets) won from a breakaway group and left the sprinters empty-handed – the Irishman returns this year as defending champion. Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG) has recently shown that such a coup need not be an exception in 2026 either: the best young rider and third-place finisher at the 2026 Tour de France already started in Hamburg last year and is considered one of the riders capable of turning the race over the Waseberg into a breakaway decision.


Selected starters at the ADAC Cyclassics 2026 (as of August 12) 
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)

Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM Team)

Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step)

Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets)

Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling Team)

Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Premier Tech)

Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious)

Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarché)

Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)

Rory Townsend (Unibet Rose Rockets), defending champion

Statements on the event

Commenting on the significance of the event for Hamburg, Senator Andy Grote said: “The ADAC Cyclassics have long been more than a bike race – they are a fixed and emotional highlight of Hamburg's sporting calendar. From the Bikeleasing.de Kids Race to the professionals competing at international top level, we show how diverse and vibrant cycling is in our city. The fact that the route starts in Buxtehude and runs through the districts of Stade, Harburg and Pinneberg right into the heart of the Active City shows just how closely Hamburg is connected with its neighbours. Images like these of sport, enthusiasm and sporting excellence carry Hamburg's name far beyond the city's borders and out into the world.”

Fabian Wegmann, Sporting Director of the ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg, is also looking forward to the battle between sprinters and breakaway riders: “The field we get to welcome to Hamburg in 2026 is one of the strongest in recent years. Between an outstanding group of sprinters and riders who can turn the Waseberg into a decisive spot, exactly the kind of tension emerges that makes our race so special. We expect an open, hard-fought finale on Mönckebergstraße.”

A programme for the whole metropolitan region

Alongside the professional race, the ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg 2026 offers an extensive event programme for the entire metropolitan region, including participatory cycling formats, the Bikeleasing Kids Race and an expo. Further information on the start list, the programme and spectator guidance will be published on an ongoing basis at www.cyclassics-hamburg.de.

ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg 2026 at a glance

Date: 16 August 2026

Professional race: UCI WorldTour one-day race for the men's elite

Start of the professional race: Buxtehude

Finish: Mönckebergstraße, Hamburg

Distance of the professional race: 205.3 kilometres

Key challenge: five passages over the Waseberg climb in Blankenese

Team field: 18 UCI WorldTeams, 4 UCI ProTeams

Participatory formats: “The Challenge” over approximately 110 kilometres, “The Experience” over approximately 60 kilometres

Further information: www.cyclassics-hamburg.de