Axel Laurance sprinted to 11th place at the Cyclassics Hamburg after a fast and attacking 205km race featuring five ascents of the Waseberg.
An early breakaway of five riders established a lead of 4:30 before the first ascent of the Waseberg, with the race continuing to split behind as the peloton worked to bring the leaders back.
With 80km remaining, Brandon Rivera moved into a chasing group as the race began to come back together. Rivera and three other riders were between the peloton and front group of six, who held a two-minute advantage, while further attacks were launched from the peloton behind.
The chasing group were eventually brought back with 65km to go, but the race remained unsettled. With 25km remaining, attacks began coming from the front group, while the chasing group, one minute further back, also began to make moves.
The early breakaway was finally caught by the peloton with 15km remaining, setting up a bunch sprint finish in Hamburg.
Laurance was well positioned for the finale and sprinted to 11th place, securing a top-15 finish in a fast and fiercely contested edition of the race.