Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) had to work hard to win the 12th Vatttenfall Cyclassics on Sunday in Hamburg.

The 27-year-old Italian held off Spaniard Oscar Freire (Rabobank) and German Gerald Ciolek (T-Mobile) to win a bunch sprint at the conclusion of the 229.1km race around Hamburg.

Ciolek, 20, the world under-23 road champion, said he chose the wrong moment to make his move.

"It is always tough to judge when to attack and I guess I didn't quite time my attack properly this time," said Ciolek. "But I am very pleased with third. Against such strong competition this is a giant result for me."

Vattenfall Cyclassics
1. Alessandro Ballan (I), Lampre-Fondital, 229.1km in 5:21:05
2. Oscar Freire (Sp), Rabobank, same time
3. Gerald Ciolek (G), T-Mobile, s.t.
4. Danilo Napolitano (I), Lampre-Fondital, s.t.
5. Erik Zabel (G), Milram, s.t.
6. Davide Rebellin (I), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
7. Paolo Bettini (I), Quick Step-Innergetic, s.t.
8. Greg van Avermaet (B), Lotto, s.t.
9. Peter Wrolich (Aus), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
10. Olaf Pollack (G), s.t