A clash of generations is theatening to usurp an anticipated Italian win at the Hamburg one-day cyclassics Pro Tour race this Sunday.

But for reasons perhaps better explained by the Italians, the likelihood of up-and-coming German sprinter Gerald Ciolek (T-Mobile) claiming victory ahead of aging compatriot Erik Zabel (Milram) appears an outside bet.

In 11 previous editions Italian riders have won five times, and always made it on to the podium of a race which, thanks to its mainly flat profile, is favored by the sprinters and late breakaway specialists.

If a bunch sprint is on the cards at the end of the 229.1km race, however, the home fans will be hoping to see Ciolek and Zabel going toe-to-toe.

Ciolek, Germany's under-23 world road race champion, has been hailed as the heir to 37-year-old Zabel, who remains hugely popular in his native Germany despite recently admitting to a brief encounter with the banned blood booster EPO (erythropoietin) in the 1990s.

And so far the blond Ciolek has been fulfilling his precocious talent, having twice beaten Milram's veteran to stage wins in this week's Tour of Germany.

. . . upstage the wily veteran Zabel?

Photo: AFP (file)

Victories have been getting rarer for Zabe, who won here in 2001 and came second to Oscar Freire last year. He collected a stage win this week in the Tour of Germany to take his career victory tally to 199, but is considered an outside bet.

Filippo Pozzato, meanwhile, is among a strong contingent of Italians expected to stamp their authority on the race. The Liquigas rider won here in 2005, came third last year and this week proclaimed he is not aiming to settle for second best.

"I'm in great form at the moment," said Pozzato, following his victory in the one-day Matteotti Trophy race this week.

As well as Pozzatto, the Italian tifosi will be hoping Paolo Bettini (Quick Step-Innergetic), who has also been racing at the Tour of Germany, has a stab at ending his victory drought.

The world and Olympic champion, who claimed victory here in 2003, has the perfect profile for a course whose only difficulty is the smallish Waseberg climb.

It will be raced over three times, the last time being 16km from the finish line, giving ideas to the likes of riders who can climb fast and hold off their chasers in the remaining kilometers.

Another Italian with victory on his mind is Davide Rebellin, whose German team is awaiting a decision by title sponsor Gerolsteiner regarding its their future in the sport following the fallout from numerous doping scandals.

Rebellin and Bettini's chances could be determined by how they decide to race Saturday's final stage of the Tour of Germany, and how they recuperate in between times.