Team NetApp will once again start in the Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg. The only German cycling race in the World Tour category will take place on August 19, 2012. On a route of 247 km the riders must overcome the notorious 15%-incline Waseberg four times.

“We’re happy to have been invited and are proud to being taking part for the second time in the best German race. Thanks to the early decision, the team can engage in targeted preparations for the Cyclassics as the highpoint in the second half of the season,” said Ralph Denk, Team Manager of Team NetApp, of the invitation.

The Hamburg Cyclassics are already the fourth World Tour race to give the team a wild card. After the Flandern Rundfahrt and Paris Roubaix the next item on Team NetApp's schedule is starting in the Giro d'Italia in two weeks.

The top-class German team has achieved a successful season start. Currently the team is in third place in the European rankings (UCI Europe Tour) with four victories, among others in the classic “Rund um Köln” and the Italian tour “Settimana Coppi e Bartali” as well as seven more podium placings.