The German Classic on May, 1st - since 1962.
Pros | ŠKODA Velotour | U23-Race | Süwag Energie Youth Cup | kinder Joy of Moving mini tour| Expo
After 201.5km, the decision was once again made in a bunch sprint, which was won by the Belgian Maxim van Gils (Lotto Dstny) ahead of the Spaniard Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team) and Riley Sheehan (Israel - Premier Tech) from the USA. Race report and further information will follow shortly. John Degenkolb (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) secured the mountain classification after a long breakaway.
Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny) has won the 61st edition of Eschborn-Frankfurt. The Belgian won the cycling classic on 1 May in the sprint of a group of almost 30 riders ahead of the Spaniard Alex Aranburu (Movistar) and Riley Sheehan (Israel - Premier Tech) from the United States. Breakaway rider Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates), who was able to pull away by up to 30 seconds on the final crossing of the Mammolshain climb, was only caught with a good two kilometres to go. Last year's winner Søren Kragh Andersen (Alpecin - Deceuninck) finished eighth, Jonas Rutsch (EF Education - EasyPost) was the best German in 17th place.
It was John Degenkolb (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) himself who opened the race immediately after the sharp start. The 35-year-old and his two companions Jacopo Mosca (Lidl-Trek) and Warre Vangheluwe (Soudal Quick-Step) quickly pulled away to a maximum lead of a good seven minutes.
Before the race went over the Feldberg for the second time, Vangheluwe was the last escapee to be caught 89 kilometres before the finish. Degenkolb had already secured the mountain classification. The peloton continued to shrink on the climb. There were several attacks, Emanuel Buchmann (Bora - hansgrohe) and Ben Healy (EF Education - Easy Post) were among the most active riders. They were able to break away from the rest in the meantime, but before the final climb up the Mammolshainer Stich, everything had converged again.
Christen attacked in Mammolshain. The 19-year-old Swiss rider pulled out a lead of up to half a minute on around 30 chasers, but was caught 2300 metres before the finish. Van Gils, who recently finished third and fourth at Fleche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège and also stormed onto the podium at Strade Bianche, then proved to be the strongest in the sprint.
Dutch rider Wessel Mouris (Metec-Solarwatt Cyclingteam) has won the U23 race as part of the cycling classic. The 21-year-old won the sprint of a seven-man leading group and thus celebrated his first victory of the season. The two Danes Peter Öxenberg Hansen (Team ColoQuick) and Alexander Arnt Hansen (Airtox - CarlRas) finished second and third. The previous three editions had been won by Danish young riders. The best German was Anton Lennemann (Bike Aid Südliche Weinstrasse Development) in 19th place.
The field stayed together for a long time and in summery temperatures the young riders posted an average time of 39. Before the summit of the Feldberg was reached for the first time, the field split up. As soon as they reached the bottom, it was uphill again - this time from the harder side. Even on the descent, the lead group had shrunk considerably. By the time the summit was passed for the second time, there were only 55 riders left. With 40 kilometres to go, another seven riders broke away and rode together towards the finish, building up a lead of up to one and a half minutes. Before the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, there were still around 30 seconds left.
Mouris, who was at the start of Eschborn-Frankfurt for the first time, said after his victory: ‘The start was relatively easy from my point of view. I also felt good on the climbs and never went over the limit. That allowed me to save some energy. Then we went into the final with seven riders. One of the riders in front of me tried to attack again, but we caught him again shortly before the finish. That slowed the group down a bit and I went for the sprint, pulled it off and won. I'm very happy with that.’
The record was even better celebrated in glorious weather. With 10,000 registered amateur athletes, the Škoda Velotour 2024 was once again fully booked. Among the many participants were Hesse's Minister President Boris Rhein and TV news presenter Thorsten Schröder.
It took more than an hour before all the starters had started the race in Eschborn. The first participants in the 40-kilometre Skyline loop had already crossed the finish line by this time. Nico Gremm finished with the fastest time in 52:10 minutes, while none of the women were faster than Janine Gürsch (54:52 minutes). Christian Lenz won the 92-kilometre Taunus Express route, which led over the Feldberg but not the Mammolshainer Stich, in 2:14:52 hours. The fastest woman over this distance was Pia Opitz, who took 2:35:08 hours.
April 30th, 2024
Word of the route change at Eschborn-Frankfurt got around the cycling world after its premiere. The teams have reacted and sent riders who are more resistant to the mountains to the start of the 61st edition of the cycling classic. Among others, Giulio Ciccone, who won the Tour de France mountain jersey in 2023 and previously also the Giro d'Italia, has slipped into the Lidl-Trek squad at short notice. Sprinter Pascal Ackermann (Israel - Premier Tech), on the other hand, had to postpone his comeback once again after breaking his collarbone. However, last year showed that anything is possible in Frankfurt.
Defending champion Sören Kragh Andersen (Alpecin - Deceuninck): "Last year's victory meant a lot to me. It was very important for me because it was the first victory for the new team. But also because I really wanted to contribute to our successful classics campaign. I started this year with a knee injury, but I realise that my form is slowly improving. Even though I already have a lot of classics in my legs, I'm not too exhausted yet. We've had an excellent season with the team so far, but my personal result is still missing. That alone gives me the ambition to win here again. From my point of view, you basically have to be at the front almost all the time. Definitely when it's the last time over the Mammolshainer Stich. After that, it's so fast towards the finish that there's no chance of coming back."
Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny): "My goal this year was to perform in the big one-day races. That has worked well so far, I've been in the top 5 almost every time and that's why I'm very happy with my season so far. I would like to continue this in Frankfurt. The course is harder than in previous years when I raced here, so it should suit me better. I've had a good look at the parts that are crucial for me. If we don't have a sprinter as a backup, we'll have to make the race even tougher so that everyone finishes tired. But we'll decide that spontaneously.
April 29th, 2024
Although the elite of the Eschborn-Frankfurt race is the focus of the cycling classic on May 1, the promotion of young talent in all age groups is also very important around the professional event. And even all amateur athletes and fans will get their money's worth.
Elite Race sticks to its recipe for success
With just under 204 kilometers, the double Feldberg crossing and the three-time passage of the Mammolshainer Stich, the route of the elite race has not changed compared to last year. However, the character of the race could change. This year, there are far more classics specialists on the provisional start list than in 2023, with defending champion Sören Kragh Andersen (Alpecin - Deceuninck), Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates) and Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny) leading the list of experts for hilly terrain.
But even the sprinters are not at a loss, as last year showed, when the fast men finished just a few seconds behind the leaders. With Alex Aranburu (Movistar), Mike Teunissen (Intermarché - Wanty) or the four-time Frankfurt winner Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility), the more mountain-resistant of their kind are also well represented. Almost all of the 14 teams from the UCI WorldTour - never before have so many of the best teams in the world been there - have a potential candidate for victory.
April 25th, 2024
Despite an increase in the number of starting places, the Škoda Velotour is already fully booked, just like last year. 10,000 amateur athletes will ensure a starting field for the cycling classic that is larger than ever before. Online registration was therefore closed in the run-up to the race. It will still be possible to change to longer distances or to other participants on 30.04. and 01.05. on site. It is always possible to switch to the shorter distance during the race.
After last year a limit of 8000 starting places was reached already two weeks before the event, this year's starting quota could be increased by a further 2000 places. But even this cap, which is intended to guarantee the high quality for every single starter, has now been reached. This testifies to the continuing boom in the scene and the attraction of the Eschborn-Frankfurt professional race, which rolls over the same roads as the recreational athletes shortly before.
The 10,000 starters, who make the Škoda Velotour one of the largest and most popular hobby bike races, have primarily opted for the longest of the three routes. Almost three quarters take on the 103 kilometers of the Škoda Velotour Taunus Classic, which leads over the Feldberg and the Mammolshainer Stich. The others are almost equally divided between the 92-kilometre Taunus Express route and the rather flat 40-kilometre Skyline Tour through Frankfurt and the Vordertaunus.
The Eschborn-Frankfurt cycling classic is much more than just a professional race. Numerous smaller events use the slipstream on May 1 to make the leap onto the big stage that they deserve. This includes the inclusion race. Around 40 schoolchildren get the chance to cycle through Frankfurt's closed-off city center like the pros, cheered on by thousands of spectators, celebrating their achievement in front of the Alte Oper. The partner is once again Verkehrsgesellschaft Frankfurt (VGF).
Once again this year, children from the Frankfurt Panoramaschule, an institution with a focus on mental development, and the Paul-Hindemith-Gesamtschule will form groups of two to complete the final lap of the professionals through Frankfurt city center twice. The motto is: "A common goal". The duos were formed through joint meetings before May 1. In addition to strengthening social skills, the focus of the inclusion race is on promoting health through cycling.
1 May will once again be a cycling classic celebration day for all fans. The places and opportunities along the route where spectators can follow the race and also take part in the event themselves via the extensive supporting programme are more varied than ever before. In addition to the two expos at the XXXLutz car park at the start in Eschborn and at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt at the finish, there will once again be many route festivals in the Taunus region. New this year: a party at the highest point of the race on the Feldberg.
The entire race can be followed from the summit of the 881 metre high Feldberg with a video screen and culinary treats. Hessischer Rundfunk will be broadcasting live right on time for the start of the professional race at 12.05 pm. There will also be an opportunity to see the riders up close as they climb the mountain at one of the most difficult points on the more than 200 kilometre route - and from two different directions. The first time the pros will pass the Feldberg at around 13:15. The second time they are expected at around 3.00 pm.
April 16th, 2024
The cycling classic will take place again in two weeks' time - once again with a renowned starting field. 19 teams, including 14 UCI WorldTour teams for the first time, have nominated their provisional riders for Eschborn-Frankfurt.
Søren Kragh Andersen leads the provisional start list. Winning the cycling classics trophy was the highlight of the past season for the 29-year-old. This year, his team Alpecin - Deceuninck is dominating the big classics and has achieved a hat-trick of monuments. Whether the team will now also claim the cycling classics triple after 2021 (Jasper Philipsen) and 2023 will be revealed in two weeks' time in front of the Alte Oper.
German cycling fans can keep their fingers crossed for more than a dozen local pros. Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) is riding an outstanding spring, which was crowned with a podium at the Tour of Flanders and 4th place at Paris-Roubaix. Emanuel Buchmann (BORA - hansgrohe) will present the champion's jersey on May 1st and wants to fine-tune his skills for the Giro d'Italia, which starts just three days later.
The Škoda Velotour goes from record to record. Last year, the starting places had to be limited for the first time in the race's history. The new record of 8000 participants was quickly reached and the race was fully booked. This record is now also history. More starters have already registered for May 1 than ever before. The countdown for the last places is now underway.
The Škoda Velotour has developed into one of the largest and most popular hobby bike races in Germany. "6000 - 8000 - 10000" sums up the record growth of the last three years. For 2024, the capacity has been increased to 10,000 starting places in order to meet the cycling boom and the high demand.
The countdown to the remaining places has now begun! Just over 1500 registrations are still possible. If you are not yet there, you need to book your starting place at eschborn-frankfurt.de quickly. The current rate level ends on Sunday (March 31). Many athletes are taking advantage of this week, booking at a very good price.
The Frankfurt Hero series kicked off last weekend. The Frankfurt half marathon set a record in perfect running weather and was sold out with 9,000 registrations. A great start for the Frankfurt sporting events. Anyone who also takes part in the Škoda Velotour on May 1 and then the Frankfurt City Triathlon (July 28) after the half marathon is a "Frankfurt Hero".
The "Frankfurt Heroes" are an ambitious group of athletes in the Main metropolis: they have run a half marathon and completed a cycling race and a triathlon, each at their favorite distance.
The top of these ambitious athletes even opted for the longest distances and thus qualified for the special "Frankfurt Hero Champion" classification. In addition to the half marathon and the middle distance of the triathlon, they also mastered the Škoda Velotour Taunus Classic. The athlete with the fastest overall time in all three events will be honored with the champion title and awarded free starts and non-cash prizes.
The U23 race at Eschborn-Frankfurt will once again be held with a large starting field. 26 junior teams have been selected for May 1st. Like the WorldTour pros, the talented youngsters will also start in Eschborn and ride through the Taunus to the finish in front of the Alte Oper.
This year, the route of the junior race will take on an even more professional character. For the young riders, there will be the premiere of the double Feldberg passage. This will make the U23 race longer, more challenging and further strengthen its classic character. 129 kilometers with 2000 meters of elevation gain are on the program.
No fewer than five German UCI Continental teams will be on show for the home fans. Three German amateur teams, including the local heroes from Hessen-Frankfurt-Opelit, will also be taking part on May 1st. Even though Germany dominates the team list with its contingent, the race is international. Teams from 15 other nations have set their sights on the difficult course in the Taunus. In the last three editions, the junior version of the cycling classic was firmly in Danish hands. Last year, Joshua Gudnitz won the comeback edition - his team ColoQuick will be the defending champions.
"Bike Academy by kinder Joy of Moving" - the joint school project of the Eschborn-Frankfurt cycling classic and the kinder Joy of Moving initiative teaches schoolchildren how to ride a bike safely in a fun way. More than 900 children from Frankfurt have already been inspired to cycle since fall 2022. The program is now being extended to Eschborn schools.
As soon as the temperatures get a little warmer, the "Bike Academy by kinder Joy of Moving" picks up speed again. Once again, hundreds of kids in grades 1 to 6 will be trained as part of their PE lessons. In this free school project, certified and experienced bike trainers work together with PE teachers. The content of the lessons depends on the age and therefore the cycling experience of the children.
It is a project with a track record of success: 118 teaching units with 42 classes at 13 Frankfurt schools have already been completed. This year, the project is celebrating its premiere in Eschborn. From now on, it is no longer just the classic bike race on May 1 that connects Eschborn and Frankfurt - the Bike Academy is now also present at primary and secondary schools in both cities.
There are still 55 days to go until the cycling classic, but a look at the team selection already promises an exciting May 1st. With 13 teams from the UCI WorldTour and five ProTeams, Eschborn-Frankfurt 2024 will take place. Never in the long history of the race has there been such a high level of first-class teams in the starting field.
The team selection is led by Alpecin-Deceuninck and BORA - hansgrohe, who have alternately won the last four editions. Last year, the Belgian team spoiled the German team's home race and will now start as defending champions. The teams of local heroes John Degenkolb (Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL) and Jonas Rutsch (EF Education - EasyPost) as well as record winner Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility) will also be there on May 1st. Many international teams of German riders have also announced their participation once again. They all want to crown the end of the spring with the trophy of the German WorldTour race.
The track update at Eschborn-Frankfurt has proven its worth and provided fans with an exciting race right up to the final on 1 May. True to the motto "never change a winning team", the successful course remains unchanged for 2024. More than 200 kilometres, two climbs on the Feldberg and three on the Mammolshainer Stich will once again attract the best classic specialists to the Taunus next year.
The première was straight away a success for the new Feldberg Passage. On 1 May, the preliminary decision that the team around Eschborn-Frankfurt Sports Director Fabian Wegmann had hoped for was made here. The new challenging climbing sequence of Feldberg, twice Mammolshainer and directly over the Billtalhöhe to the more difficult Feldberg ascent made the difference in the final of the German classic. The last climb to the Mammolshainer then produced the small leading group, which decided the victory among themselves before the Alte Oper.
It was an exciting German classic for the fans, which is why the classic course will also be used for the next edition. With 203.8 kilometres, it will remain unchanged in 2024.
More kilometres and metres in altitude as well as a plus in Taunus atmosphere. The recipe for success of the last professional edition is now being applied to the U23 edition. At the upcoming 1 May, the young talents will also ride twice over the Feldberg. The race will be longer, more demanding and thus further strengthen its classic character.
As with the professionals, the race day also begins for the young cyclists in Eschborn. 129 kilometres with 2000 metres of altitude are awaiting them. From the start, they will first head into Frankfurt city centre through the finish area. On the familiar route through the Taunus, the field arrives at the Feldberg for the first time after 46 kilometres of racing. After the descent, the Taunus icon is approached for the second time via the Red Cross. Like the pros this year, the U23 riders now also have to conquer the climb from the steeper side. At the midpoint of the race, the selective section is completed. The course leads back through the Taunus to Eschborn and on to the finish in front of the Alte Oper.
Once again, more than 150 young riders are expected to compete for the cycling classic title in the U23 category on 1 May. This year, the Danish talents have dominated the race. In the bunch sprint, Joshua Gudnitz won ahead of Gustav Wang. Only time will tell if they will pursue a career like their compatriot Mads Pedersen. He won the U23 cycling classic in 2014 - five years later he became world champion. Fabio Jakobsen, Jonas Rutsch and Nils Politt are other prominent names who already stood on the podium in the junior class on 1 May.
