IAM have announced their line-up for Sunday's EuroEyes Cyclassics in Hamburg.

“Nine chances out of ten, the race will end with a bunch sprint,” explained Thierry Marichal, directeur sportif for IAM Cycling at the Euroeyes Cyclassic. “The last three kilometers are dominated by long straight roads, which are usually fatal to breakaways. And if the scenario favors a mass sprint, we have Heinrich Haussler and Sondre Holst Enger as cards to play. But the race is far from scripted, so we will also remain vigilant and opportunistic in what will undoubtedly be a hectic final.”

einrich Haussler, who loves the spring classics in Flanders, can find the same thrill and adrenaline rush in Germany in August.

“I really like the Hamburg classic because you have exactly the same sort of atmosphere as you find in the Belgian races early in the season,” Haussler admits. “The technical aspects, the sensations, the route profile…everything lends itself to that comparison.”

Difficult sounding on paper, the key climb of Waeberg is 700 meters long with sections that have 16% gradients, and will be climbed four times. But for Heinrich Haussler, the biggest challenge is not only the steep gradients.

“The parcours is not overly taxing. The result being that everyone arrives feeling relatively fresh at the Waseberg. And being well placed once you hit the climb is essential if you want to get over the wall with a chance to finish well in the final standings.”

“I went with a part of the team to a high altitude training camp just before the Tour of Utah, in Park City,” Heino continued. “But a gastric disorders derailed my race and upset my preparations.  I was forced to abandon the Tour of Utah, and never had the chance to achieve the goals I had set for myself in the American race. I stayed on in American, first to recover my health and then to take advantage of the ideal training conditions. Once my form returned, I was able to do some high intensity training, and always between 2000 and 3000 meters above sea level.  Now just a few days before one of my major goals for the season, the Hamburg Cyclassics, I can say that I am 100% ready.”