GFR, the German branch of Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), has taken on the operations for the BEMER Cyclassics event in Germany. This expansion of GFR’s portfolio means that GFR & A.S.O now organize three key cycling races in Germany.
Since 2022, Cyclassics Hamburg has been named BEMER Cyclassics Hamburg – with Liechtenstein-based medical technology company BEMER on board as a title sponsor. Prior to the recent acquisition of the event by GFR (A.S.O.), it was organised by the IRONMAN Germany team.
Now operated by GFR from 2024 onwards, the BEMER Cyclassics joins (GFR-organised) Eschborn-Frankfurt as the only two WorldTour races in Germany. In addition, GFR also organizes the Deutschland Tour – the only German pro men’s stage race.
Alongside pro riders, around 25,000 amateur athletes take part in the three events now under the GFR (A.S.O.) umbrella.
The Cyclassics Hamburg was first held in 1996. It was one of the first races to give amateur cyclists a chance to compete alongside the pros and quickly established itself as one of Europe’s largest cycling festivals. The Hamburg race is scheduled for September 8th in next season’s UCI WorldTour calendar.
Yann Le Moënner, CEO of A.S.O., said “We are delighted to be able to count the BEMER Cyclassics among the cycling events we organize. The Cyclassics has been crowning the world’s best sprinters for almost 30 years.
“Germany is one of A.S.O.’s most important territories, where we want to further develop the sport of cycling for all, in the wake of the Deutschland Tour, relaunched in 2018, and the Eschborn-Frankfurt Classic, which attracts thousands of enthusiasts every year on May 1st.
“Our vision is based on intensifying the sporting aspects of the race and developing the experience of participants in all age categories through cyclosportives and events linked to the professional event. The Hamburg BEMER Cyclassics will be no exception, and we have every reason to be enthusiastic about the future.”
Matthias Pietsch, Managing Director of GFR, said “With our expertise in organizing cycling events, we want to further increase the great potential of the BEMER Cyclassics.
“Every German cycling fan is familiar with the Cyclassics, and many amateurs have participated in a cyclosportive race for the first time in Hamburg. Building on 27 years of Cyclassics tradition, we have ambitious plans to further develop this event and to enhance the Cyclassics experience for all athletes.”
Hamburg’s Senator for Sports, Andy Grote, added “The Cyclassics are an icon of Hamburg outdoor sports. The atmosphere with thousands of spectators along the route is overwhelming, and the elite and age group field experience the city from a unique perspective.
“This is exactly what makes Hamburg and the Cyclassics so attractive. The helm of the organization is now passing from one experienced event organization to another. This will ensure that the high quality of the Cyclassics continues in the future.”
Races organized by GFR in Germany
- Eschborn-Frankfurt (UCI WorldTour): May 1st, 2024
- Deutschland Tour (UCI ProSeries): August 21st – 25th, 2024
- BEMER Cyclassics (UCI WorldTour): September 8th, 2024
www.cyclassics-hamburg.de
www.aso.fr
