English
During July 2009 Wiggle teamed up with Focus Bikes to offer a superb opportunity to win a trip to the Vattenfall Cyclassic event in Hamburg on August 16th 2009!
The Vattenfall Cyclassics one-day race is a true celebration of cycling. It is one of the youngest one-day road races in the UCI ProTour but it is one of the best races because organisers combine a high quality professional race with a day of cycling for everyone who loves two-wheels.
Read Part 1 of Richards blog – Meeting the Comp Winners and our Day in Hamburg.
Read Richard Pearman’s account of the race day below.
Part 2 – Sunday (Sportive and Pro Race Day)
The following morning was an early wake up call. My night’s sleep was not a good one as the room was very warm and we had no air conditioning to keep us cool. The hotel was also next to a major road which never seemed to quieten down with traffic. The windows were open to let some air in, but the noise was sometimes just too noisy. Eventually I did sleep, but not enough for me (7-8 hours is my normal quota).
We had to arrive for breakfast early then return down to the lobby to cycle to the start of the Sportive event. Many of the mechanics were up and about loading their respective team vehicles and preparing for the day’s event. Rich, Craig and I couldn’t hang around for too long as we had to cycle 2 km’s to the start. We also had to locate our starting point which was very hard because as we neared the area we were greeted by thousands of cyclist all looking for their own starting points.
Thankfully we had signed on the day before so all we had to do was locate where we had to be. Eventually we found our starting point so waited here for the rest of our group. Thorsten, Andy and their other guests were also riding. We arrived first, but soon after the others arrived. Everyone was wearing their Focus kit, which was given to us on Saturday, and apart from some hairy legs we all looked the part.
The start was delayed by 30 minutes, which was slightly annoying as we had hurried ourselves unnecessary, but things like this happen and it’s best that we got there in good time as we had come all this way.
The start was slow, which was expected. Getting our group of around 1000 cyclists going quickly from the start was not possible. It’s weird to see the rider’s way in front moving off, as slowly in front of you people are moving and you can see the movement heading towards you and soon enough it was our time to clip in and pedal.
For myself, racing in a large bunch of riders, not as large as this, is customary and I’m used to moving around and watching out for possible dodgy riders, which there were plenty. I soon started making headway through the large group, but noticed I was on my own. Once out of the centre I slowed up and waited for the Focus express train which was hot on my heels. Thornsten was leading the train and I jumped on after they passed me. Not all were here though as the start was pretty chaotic in places. Other soon joined us, but by now we were flying along passing many riders. Richard Hutchinson was not with us at this point, but he did mention to Craig before getting dropped off that it was OK for Craig and I to carry on. Our pace was quick with the seven of us all working on the front.
Other riders tagged onto the back of us getting a tow through the massive groups of cyclists. After about 1 hour I decided to hold back and make sure the competition winner was OK. I bumped into the other Focus riders all enjoying themselves just cycling along doing their own thing. The weather for today’s ride was great – sunny and warm, but very windy. I kept on going until I reached the refreshment point. Here I stopped, filled my bottles, grabbed some food and waited for Rich. Not long after, 10 minutes or so, Rich came to the stopping point.
I yelled out to Rich, grabbing his attention, and once he had sorted himself out we set off for the last leg of the ride. I planned on staying with Rich for the remaining km’s to get him back to Hamburg in good time for his trip in Milram’s team car. Rich was looking forward to this and I wanted him to get there on time.
We rode hard with shouts of encouragement from me, passing many more riders and with the cheering crowd on the sides of the roads this also helped us continue hard. As we approached the outskirts of Hamburg the roads became a lot wider and this, I thought, was a great time to take some photos and video shots of Rich racing along. Not an easy task, but I managed in fine style getting some good shots. The final hill of the day came towards the end of the ride and within the last 10 km’s from the finish.
The final climb was the rise over the river Elba via the huge road bridge, which was completely shut to traffic on both sides. Actually all the roads were closed for this event on both sides as well. Speaking to Rich, I said that this would never ever happen in the UK, not even for Premier calendar events who only get a rolling road closure. I felt completely safe on the ride, but you do need to look at those around you and prepare yourself for riders who just switch about without any regard to who is behind or even next to them.
The final 2 km’s were hard as we had a headwind for the majority of it. I told Rich to sit on my rear wheel, concentrate and keep focused and as we entered the final km Rich got his second wind so to speak. Knowing the end is in sight spurs you on further and with constant shouts of support from people lining the streets of Hamburg, you go faster. Cycling the last 200 metres was amazing as thousands of people were banging on the boards, clapping and applauding you all the way to the finish. I can now visualise and also understand what it must feel like for the pro riders in the tour, and other major tours, when finishing a stage and especially if you are riding to the finish on your own. It does lift your spirits immensely even when you are absolutely shattered.
After crossing the finish line and hearing our names mentioned on the loud speaker, which you can hear on the video clip I took as I neared the finish, we continued on further before coming to a halt almost back where we started from hours earlier.
Craig joined us and mentioned that we had to collect our medals down this side road. We had to be quick though as time was short for Rich. Rich and I battled our way, well pushed really, through the hoards of people all doing the same thing. We picked up the medals then made our way back to Craig and our bikes then set off to the hotel. After negotiating the main roads and almost getting knocked off we arrived at the hotel. Rich dumped his bike with us and quickly ran to his room, got changed and was back out the door in no time.
For Craig and I we had a more casual walk into the hotel. Had time to shower, relax and get some food down us before walking casually out of the hotel door. We jumped into a taxi and made our way back to the finish to see others ending their ride. We received a text from Rich saying he just made the team car in time and now was following the pros on their race. Rich even mentioned he passed Fabian Cancellara as he punctured. Rich did try to say hello as he wound down the window, but never got a reply.
Craig and I were walking about the place and decided to grab some food. We also located the finish of the pro race so stayed in the local vicinity as not to lose our bearings. We did miss the first time through for the race, but as we were starving found this more important. Anyhow it would now be another 40 minutes before the race came back through again for the final time.
As we were eating our plate of chips, Craig received another text from Rich who was now at the finish as he got dropped off so to see the finish front end and not miss it being at the back end. We soon met up with him and decided to make our way to a vantage point near the finish. The hot weather was still beating down on us and I was getting hot and flustered. Time for an ice cream I thought so popped into the local shop to buy one.
With the race fast approaching the finish line, we took our places amongst the thousands of others and waited to see who would win. The loud speaker was in German so we had not much of an idea what was going on, but luckily for us, Rich H, did speak German and filled in some gaps. Soon the moto marshal came rushing through with the lead cars and before you knew it the winner had crossed the line. Tyler Farrar, with the help of his Garmin Slipstream buddies took the victory with Matti Breschel of Team Saxo Bank finishing in 2nd spot. Team Milram’s Gerald Ciolek finished in third spot which was a good result for the German based team. Once the race had passed through we made our way to the Team Milram bus to meet up with the riders and personnel from the team. We tried to cadge a lift on the team bus with the riders, but there was no room, so it was a taxi trip back to our hotel.
The taxi ride was funny though as we told the driver the name of the hotel and after he said “Yes, I know the hotel” we set off. Soon after I noticed we were heading in the wrong direction.
I told the driver this, but he just looked at me. Rich, our German translator, then stepped in. The driver was still not sure and after a phone call to Thorsten, he then believed me that he was wrong and going the wrong way. We soon got back to our hotel, but really had not much time as we had to get ready for our trip to Lubeck airport. About 2 hours later we arrived in the foyer of the hotel to meet Thorsten.
All four of us jumped into the Focus car for the last time and began out journey to the airport. We arrived, checked in, had some more food, got bored waiting, I texted Dan at work who told me to “get some sleep”, but I couldn’t. Anyhow it was fun people watching as you do and recapping the last few days here in Germany. Not long after the plane opened its doors, we got on, slept for a little while, got off at Stansted and then said our farewells knowing that we had our long journeys back home.
I arrived home at about 2.30 am in the morning, but knew Craig and Rich were probably still on the road. A great weekend away in a great city and would recommend you go there sometime. Rich and Craig were get and tried their hardest to great some freebies, which made me laugh.
More Photos
Video of Richard Hutchinson During the Vattenfall Cyclassic Event.