Rory Townsend wins the 28th Hamburg Classic , a 207km race. The Irish national champion achieved a remarkable feat, leading the early breakaway and then winning with a thrilling finish. Townsend, from Q36.5, immediately breaks away, along with Dries De Pooter (Intermarché Wanty), Johan Jacobs (Groupama FDJ), and Nelson Oliveira (Team Movistar).

With 60 km to go, the attackers have a lead of about three minutes over the group.  

With 27 km to go, the breakaway riders' lead drops below two minutes, and Jacobs, on the penultimate pass of the Waseberg , pulls away from the other three. Vacek attacks behind and makes his way through the leading group: around twenty remain, including Del Toro and Van Aert .

Twenty kilometers from the finish, Jacobs is caught and the lead of the leading four drops to around a minute.  

On the last Waseberg there are three left in front, De Potter   He breaks away; Hirschi attacks behind, followed by Vacek, Del Toro, McNulty, and Abrahamsen, with Magnier holding on. Van Aert, however, loses contact.  

With fourteen kilometers to go, the three leaders have a lead of about twenty seconds over their closest pursuers.  

In the final kilometers, the attackers collaborated and held off the resurgent peloton, which was rapidly advancing. First, the Alpecin Deceuninck riders tried to boost the pursuit, but three kilometers from the finish line, they suddenly gave way, and Oliveira 's Movistar teammates briefly halted the peloton's attack. Then, entering the final kilometer, it was a thrilling chase between the front three and the peloton, which was coming at breakneck speed, desperately seeking a comeback. Townsend seized the moment , starting wide and finding the energy to win the race. Behind, the group caught the other two escapees, and De Lie placed second, with Magnier third.

ORDER OF ARRIVAL:  

1 Townsend Rory Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team

2 De Lie Arnaud Lotto ,,

3 Magnier Paul Soudal Quick-Step ,,

4 Philipsen Jasper Alpecin - Deceuninck ,,

5 Van Poppel Danny Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe ,,

6 Wright Fred Bahrain - Victorious,,

7 Morgado António UAE Team Emirates - XRG ,,

8 Girmay Biniam Intermarché - Wanty,,

9 Louvel Matis Israel - Premier Tech ,,

10 Van Aert Wout Team Visma | Lease a Bike,,