BiciRace.com :: 2005 HEW-Cyclassics

2005 HEW-Cyclassics, Preview

HEW-Cyclassics, Germany

31 July, 251K

Single Day Races Continue

Overall Map, Profile
Startlist
Photos
Report and Results

HEW-Cyclassics, Köhlbrandbrücke bridge, photo: UCI

Sunday will mark a return to the Classics season with the running of the HEW-Cyclassics race in Hamburg Germany. The ProTour Race was formerly a part of the now defunct World Cup. The German Milan-Sanremo, if you will, has in the past criticized for not being selective enough. The organizers attempted to address this last year with the addition of an additional 2 laps (for a total of 4) of the 15 percent Waseberg, which is also contained on the final big circuit for a total of 5 times.

Map, photo: HEW-Cyclassics

The course is divided into 2 portions. The first being a figure eight of 170K that follows the Elbe river. This portion includes the Köhlbrandbrücke bridge, which is a fairly gradual climb in itself. The second portion is an 80.6K loop, including three 12.7K laps, with each of those laps containing the climb of the Waseberg. An additional ascent of the Waseberg comes at 16K to go from the finish. This last ascent should buckle the legs of the weak, leaving on the strongest to fight out the win in Hamburg.

O'Grady Wins, photo: HEW-Cyclassics

Stuart O'Grady took top honors last year. Look for a strong showing from the Aussie again. This is a course not really suited to a pure sprinter, but rather a strong man. Also look for the return of Danilo Di Luca after his long break following the Giro d'Italia. Finally, Damiano Cunego could be in with a chance in Hamburg. He showed a strong sprint in the opening stage of the Brixia Tour.
- The Dust Devil