CYCLING – TEAM Bahrain Victorious are set to compete in the 28th edition of the Hamburg Cyclassics in Germany today.
After departing from Buxtehude, the 207.4-kilometre route takes the bunch into the Waseberg circuit, featuring its iconic steep climb (700m at 10 per cent, with ramps up to 16 per cent) five times.
On the final loop, the crest comes just 16km from the finish, which is a gently undulating run-in on Monckebergstrasse with five technical turns in the last five km. Bahrain Victorious will surely see sprinters’ teams and breakaway specialists fighting for the win at high speed on the narrow road.
Phil Bauhaus lines up as Bahrain Victorious’ designated ‘fast man’, making his fifth appearance in Hamburg. Having placed seventh in 2022, he will be supported by Matevz Govekar as a lead-out man, while Matej Mohoric, Fred Wright, and Robert Stannard are set to race aggressively into the second part of the parcours.
Kamil Gradek and Alberto Bruttomesso round up Bahrain Victorious’ seven-man roster, and will play key roles in positioning. It is an experienced group, many of whom are familiar with the event, having ridden Hamburg Cyclassics before.
Bahrain Victorious’ lead sports director in Germany Aart Vierhouten explained that there are some differences to the profile this year. “This year it’s a bit of a different parcour,” he said. “The organisers made some changes. They have made it a bit more difficult for a bunch sprint in the finale, so they will eliminate some of the sprinters with the very technical 11km circuit which includes the Waseberg climb.
“For us as a team, we are ready. Of course, when the sprinters come off and come back in the end, there will be other teams to close the gap to the breakaway riders.
“We have Phil in that case together with Matevz. But before of course we want to race and be part of the race with our leader Matej Mohoric. He came good from the Tour de France and has new goals for the last part of the season, and also of course in Hamburg.
“Besides Matej, we have Fred and Rob, so those three guys are pure classic racers, and they will love this new circuit at the end deep in the final. So it’s up to them to race and to be sure they are part of the breakaway.
“I have a strong feeling this year the breakaway will go to the end and fight for the win at the line, considering the other years. I am pretty confident with our riders. And if the race comes back with a group of 30 to 40 riders, then it’s up to Phil to be there together with Matevz, who will lead Phil in the final sprint.”
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