Nat Bromhead
Aussie sprint sensation Caleb Ewan will be up against some of the fastest men in cycling when he races a one-day classic in Germany this Sunday.
Ewan joins Mark Cavendish, John Degenkolb, last year’s winner Andre Greipel, Tom Boonen and Alexander Kristof as the big-name sprinters to race the 250km Cyclassics Hamburg. Orica-Bike Exchange Sports Director Matt White said the event will be a good experience for Caleb Ewan.
“He will be lining up against the Crème de la Crème of the sprinting world giving him the opportunity to test himself against the worlds best,” said White.
“We have a super team for the race and we are all highly motivated to achieve a good result here, we have balance and experience within the team that gives us strengths for each eventuality.”
It will be 22-year-old Ewan’s first appearance in the 250km WorldTour race traditionally dominated by the fastest men of the peloton.
“It is always a long and relatively steady kind of race,” said White.
“The parcours is usually straightforward and with technical finishing circuit that includes the steep final climb, the race has the potential to suit our characteristics.”
“Most of the guys are coming back to racing after the Tour and the Olympics also and there isn’t many better races than this one to help find your racing legs again.
Simon Gerrans finished in 3rd place in the 2014 edition of the race giving ORICA-BikeExchange its best result in the one day race.
The race follows a picturesque route and finishes in downtown Hamburg. Visit the Bicycling Australia Facebook page closer to the start on Sunday evening (AEST) for a list of live viewing options.
ORICA-BikeExchange at Cyclassics Hamburg Sunday 21ST August
Michael Albasini (SUI, 35)
Mitch Docker (AUS, VIC, 29)
Luke Durbridge (AUS, WA, 25)
Caleb Ewan (AUS, NSW, 22)
Mathew Hayman (AUS, ACT, 38)
Daryl Impey (RSA, 30)
Christian Meier (CAN, 31)
Luka Mezgec (SLO, 28)
