ProAm Hannover

New Cycling Highlight in Hanover

Pros at the “Night” race – amateurs at the “Your Day” race.

Sports Director Grischa Niermann and Organizer Stefanie Eichel present “ProAm Hannover 2017,” the city’s new cycling highlight

“ProAm Hannover – The Night; Your Day”—that’s the title of the new cycling weekend in the state capital, where you can cheer on the riders and join in the fun. On July 29 and 30, all cycling fans in the city and region of Hannover will get their money’s worth. One week after the Tour de France finale, the stars of the cycling world will kick off the “Night”—the traditional cycling classic on Friedrichswall, right in front of City Hall—with a nighttime lap race on the spectacular “hot dog” course. Just a few hours later, right there in the same spot, “amateur cyclists” will take to the 69- or 113-kilometer course through the city and the Hanover region for the premiere of “ProAm – Your Day.” A cycling weekend in a class of its own, adding yet another highlight to the sporting calendar.

During the “Night” race, the pros sprint for victories and podium finishes on a circuit just 850 meters long that’s fully visible at all times. Elimination races, junior races, and the always spectacular derny race round out the cycling festival, which is now in its 29th year in 2017. The stars of international cycling grace the long list of winners; this year, André Greipel and Marcel Kittel staged a thrilling rematch in the heart of the city, following their exciting sprint stages at the “Tour.”

The “24 Hours of Pure Cycling” event in Hanover will then round out the new open race the following day. On the longer route through the region, the Deister, and the Weserbergland, participants can expect 280 meters of elevation gain and a maximum gradient of 9.5%; they should be able to maintain a minimum speed of 26 km/h.

The shorter route has a minimum speed limit of 24 km/h. What makes it special is that e-bike riders are also allowed to participate.

Cyclist in front of the New Town Hall — Open Race - Pro-Am

“Hanover and the surrounding region are very bike-friendly and have made urban mobility a key priority,” explained Elke van Zadel from the regional government and Hanover’s tourism director, Hans Christian Nolte, in unison: “In that sense, this is a perfect opportunity to welcome many visitors here to the city and the region.”

Ralf Sonnenberg, the city’s event manager, highlighted the “strong local community in the city” and the “highly attractive route”: “We’ve been working on this for a long time and are delighted to now be able to present this event together.”

Sports director and former pro Grischa Niermann described the course as a “perfect compromise” that offers some challenges but is “definitely doable for anyone.”

Hanover’s Mayor Stefan Schostok and Regional President Hauke Jagau have jointly agreed to serve as patrons of “ProAm Hanover 2017.” All additional information about the event, as well as registration details, can be found online at www.proam-hannover.de.

In 2017, “ProAm” will also serve as the closing event of the National Cycling Festival, which will take place in the state capital from July 23 to 29.