Paul Magnier wins the 2026 ADAC Cyclassics: imperious sprint in Hamburg

Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) claimed victory at the 2026 ADAC Cyclassics, the WorldTour classic held on the roads of Hamburg. The Frenchman covered the 205 kilometers in 4:17:55, prevailing in a reduced sprint after a brutally hard selection on the Waseberg.The raceThe German race was decided on the climb of the Waseberg, 700 meters at an average gradient of 10%, tackled five times over the course of the route. It was the forcing of UAE Team Emirates-XRG on the final passage, with around 16 kilometers to go, that split the peloton: the acceleration dropped several top sprinters, including Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) and Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM), who were left out of the decisive selection.Magnier, meanwhile, was firmly in the leading group. Soudal Quick-Step took control of the race once back on the flat roads toward Hamburg, managing the return of the chasing group. In the final three kilometers the Belgian team dominated, with two riders leading out their captain. In the finale, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe tried to anticipate, but Magnier waited for the right moment, launched his sprint and immediately put clear daylight between himself and his rivals.Final classification1. Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) — 4:17:552. Mike Teunissen (XDS Astana Team) — s.t.3. Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) — s.t.4. Paul Penhoet (Groupama-FDJ United) — s.t.5. Henri Uhlig (Alpecin-Premier Tech) — s.t.ClosingFor Magnier, this is a prestigious success in one of the most important classics on the German calendar, confirming the fine form of the French sprinter after a season already full of satisfaction. Teunissen finished second, while Pithie completed the podium, but no one was able to trouble the winner's superiority in the final sprint.