The Vattenfall Cyclassics is a cycling race held every year in Hamburg, Germany.
It started as an unimportant race in 1996, but because cycling became very popular in Germany it was made a part of the UCI Road World Cup in 1998. Since 2005, it is a part of the UCI ProTour.
The route of the race changes, but is about 250 km long. During a number of laps through Hamburg, the Waseberg hill is climbed a several times. The cyclists also race over Hamburg's highest bridge Köhlbrandbrücke. Unlike many races the Cyclassic race almost never ends in a mass sprint, that is, with a lot of riders close together racing to the finish line.
There is an amateur part of the Cyclassics. Earlier on the day of the race there are three Jedermann-Rennen. Anybody (jedermann) with a ticket can take part in these races (rennen) over 55 km, 100 km and 155 km. Tickets must be reserved months in advance. In 2005 there were 20000 amateurs on the course.
The sponsor of the Cyclassics, was the Hamburg Electrizität Werke, Hamburg electricity plant or "HEW", after it became part of the big "Vattenfall" company the Cyclassic changed its name too, and from 2006 this cycling race has been known as the Vattenfall Cyclassics.
Questions and Answers
Q: What is the Vattenfall Cyclassics?
A: The Vattenfall Cyclassics is a cycling race held every year in Hamburg, Germany.
Q: When did the Vattenfall Cyclassics become a part of the UCI Road World Cup?
A: The Vattenfall Cyclassics became a part of the UCI Road World Cup in 1998.
Q: What is the length of the route in the Vattenfall Cyclassics?
A: The route of the Vattenfall Cyclassics changes, but it is about 250 km long.
Q: Where do the cyclists race in the Vattenfall Cyclassics?
A: In the Vattenfall Cyclassics, the cyclists race through Hamburg, climbing the Waseberg hill several times and also racing over Hamburg's highest bridge Köhlbrandbrücke.
Q: Is there an amateur part in the Vattenfall Cyclassics?
A: Yes, there is an amateur part of the Vattenfall Cyclassics which is divided into three races over 55 km, 100 km, and 155 km.
Q: How can one take part in the amateur part of the Vattenfall Cyclassics?
A: Anyone with a ticket can take part in the amateur part of the Vattenfall Cyclassics, but tickets must be reserved months in advance.
Q: Who is the sponsor of the Vattenfall Cyclassics?
A: The sponsor of the Vattenfall Cyclassics is the Vattenfall company, which used to be known as the Hamburg Electrizität Werke (HEW).
