Elia Viviani takes second consecutive victory at EuroEyes Cyclassics Hamburg
The Italian beat Arnaud Démare to win the WorldTour one-day race in Germany
Italian national champion Elia Viviani (Quick-Step) took his second consecutive victory at the EuroEyes Cyclassics Hamburg, beating Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ) and Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) to the line in a bunch finish.
Viviani took advantage of Démare's early launch, jumping on to the wheel of the Frenchman on the slight left curve of the finishing 100 metres.
As the Frenchman tired towards the line, the defending champion was able to hold his power to go clear across the line and raise his arms in victory.
The other sprinters were never really close to competing, with Kristoff fighting for third behind the leading pair with new European champion Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott), who had to settle for fifth place as John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) pipped him late to the line.
World champion Peter Sagan completed the 216.4km German WorldTour race, but could only manage 10th place with a the Vuelta a España just six days away.
The race had been animated by a breakaway group that got away early, with Ivan Cortina (Bahrain Merida), Alessandro De Marchi (BMC), Winner Anacona (Movistar), Kamil Gradek (CCC Sprandi) and Evgeny Shaluna (Gazprom-RusVelo) going clear until 18km to go.
There were late attacks on the final climb of what was a predominantly flat final circuit, but the sprinters' teams had enough control that it safely came back together for a sprint finish, setting Viviani up for his second victory in two years.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Viviani will now head to to the Vuelta on Saturday, where he'll hope to continue the fine form that saw him claim four stage victories at the Giro d'Italia in May.
Results
EuroEyes Cyclassics Hamburg 2018 (216.4km)
1 Elia Viviani (Ita) Quick-Step Floors, in 4-46-02
2 Arnaud Démare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
3 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates
4 John Degenkolb (Ger) Trek-Segafredo
5 Matteo Trentin (Ita) Mitchelton-Scott, all same time
6 Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Trek-Segafredo, at 1s
7 Sacha Modolo (Ita) EF Education First-Drapac
8 Nikias Arndt (Ger) Team Sunweb
9 Niccolo Bonifazio (Ita) Bahrain-Merida
10 Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe, all same time
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Is Lapierre set to make a return to the WordTour?
French bike brand appears set to return to cycling’s top level after 22 year long partnership with Groupama-FDJ ended in 2023
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Bike insurance might not cover your theft: How to avoid the common mistakes that can invalidate your policy
Having your bike stolen is bad enough, don't let a failed insurance claim make it worse
By Rob Kemp Published
-
Elia Viviani says helmet 'saved his life' in Paris-Roubaix crash
The Italian abandoned the race after 40km on Sunday, but left without any fractures
By Adam Becket Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘Current WorldTour system is killing all the smaller teams,’ says Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
South African ex-Lotto Soudal rider fears more teams could find themselves in B & B Hotels-KTM situation if the system doesn’t change
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
As Cristiano Ronaldo puts the boot in, Jumbo-Visma talk to Manchester United about tactics and managing egos
The Dutch team’s senior sports director has spoken to Manchester United’s manager for sporting advice
By Owen Rogers Last updated
-
'It's a really absurd way of racing' - EF boss Jonathan Vaughters on WorldTour relegation scrap
EF Education-EasyPost manager says he hated racing for UCI points
By Tom Davidson Published
-
GB's Neah Evans claims stunning first world title on final day of Track World Championships
Great Britain finishes with 10 medals, after Madison silver and elimination race bronze
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Trek-Segafredo win the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta team time trial
Elisa Longo Borghini led the American squad home and will take the leader's red jersey into the remaining four stages
By Owen Rogers Last updated
-
Seven woman teams a possibility at the 2023 Tour de France Femmes
Race Director Marion Rousse confirms the organisers ASO are considering other changes for 2023, including the possibility of a time trial
By Owen Rogers Published