Elite Race

May, 1st - The UCI WorldTour race at Eschborn-Frankfurt the German Classic.

Danish victory at Eschborn-Frankfurt: Søren Kragh Andersen wins group sprint

The route change at Eschborn-Frankfurt achieved exactly what it was supposed to: suspense right up to the absolute finale. Because even five kilometers before the end it was not clear whether the peloton could close the small gap to the escapees. But it should be enough for the group! After there was already a Danish double victory in the U23 cycling classic, a Dane also prevailed in the WorldTour pros. Søren Kragh Andersen (Alpecin - Deceuninck) won in the sprint ahead of Patrick Konrad (Bora - hansgrohe) and Alessandro Fedeli (Q36.5 Pro Cycling). Georg Steinhauser (EF Education - EasyPost) and Georg Zimmermann (Intermarché - Circus - Wanty) finished sixth and seventh as the best Germans.

In front of an impressive backdrop, Max Walscheid (Cofidis) opened the race shortly after the sharp start and formed a leading group with five other riders, who were given a maximum lead of eight minutes. In mostly dry conditions, fans and spectators along the route between Eschborn, the Taunus communities and Frankfurt created a record-breaking cycling classic atmosphere.

Although the lead of the leading group had already shrunk considerably after the first Feldberg crossing, the riders still made it over the first two Mammolshain mountain classifications, only to be dropped on the approach to the second Feldberg. For Walscheid it was still enough to win the overall mountain classification. After the second Feldberg climb, about 30 riders broke away from the peloton, with only Michael Matthews (Team Jayco Alula) among the fast riders. Accordingly, the group did not run smoothly and was placed 52 kilometers before the finish. At the last Mammolshain branch, a leading group formed again, which included ten riders. Zimmermann and Steinhauser were among them, as were Konrad and the Swiss Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates).

The group reached Frankfurt with a lead of about a minute, but they entered the final lap with only 20 seconds left. Behind them, a reduced peloton of about 30 riders chased them. In the last two kilometers Zimmermann tried again with an attack, but could not break away decisively. Then came Kragh Andersen and drove the sprint home confidently from the front for a long time. Arnaud De Lie led the peloton to the finish 18 seconds behind.

Søren Kragh Andersen: "In the end there was more climbing than I had expected. I really suffered on the second Feldberg crossing. But I never gave up and so the race ended perfectly for me in the group. The victory means a lot to me because I haven't won in a long time."

Patrick Konrad: "It was a very exciting seconds thriller. It was primarily my plan to get through with the group and accordingly I then invested a lot. I knew that Søren was the man to beat. At the moment when I came up to his height in the sprint, it also looked good.

Alessandro Fedeli (Q36.5 Pro Cycling): "This is my best result in the WorldTour. That's why I'm overjoyed, of course. I want to thank the organization for the fantastic race, there were no risky sections anywhere, the roads were good. I'm also happy for the team, because we want to build on this success now."

Local hero John Degenkolb (Team DSM) on his home race: "I really suffered. As expected, the character of the race was different than usual, even if you didn't see that in the start list. I had to drive in the red zone for a very long time, but I noticed that the others were not doing well either and that the mountains had left their mark. It wasn't completely hopeless, but I was also close to completely blowing up. But that's where the home advantage comes in: I know every bend, always know how steep it is. The support was phenomenal. It's awesome to have a home race like this."

Results

Preview of the cycling classic on May 1

The start of May traditionally also opens the season of German professional races. After a two-year break, Eschborn-Frankfurt will again take place on the traditional date. Back on May 1 is also the typical cycling classic atmosphere. In the best spring weather, numerous fans are expected at the start in Eschborn, at the Taunus icons and in the finish area in Frankfurt City. Sixty years after the race was first held, the cycling festival will once again provide a fitting backdrop.

Elite race

The professionals will start at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday in Eschborn. For them, 183.9 kilometers are scheduled on the way through the Taunus to the finish in Frankfurt. Fans who want to plan their visit to the course can find the passage times of the pros at the key points of the Taunus course at www.eschborn-frankfurt.de/en/home/verkehr. Starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Alte Oper, visitors can expect to see the winner of the 2022 cycling classic.

Favorites include last year's winner, Jaspar Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix), as well as local hero John Degenkolb (Team DSM) and series winner Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux). From a German perspective, all eyes will be on Jonas Rutsch (EF Education - EasyPost), who makes his debut in the pro edition of his home race. Deutschland Tour winner Nils Politt (BORA-hansgrohe) and Rick Zabel (Israel - Premier Tech), runner-up in 2017, are also looking forward to the first race of the season in front of German fans.

 

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Big names aiming for the German Classic trophy

Back at the traditional date, Eschborn-Frankfurt is attracting big names. On May 1st, the entire podium of last year's 60th edition will meet again. Jasper Philipsen already sprinted to three wins this season and will go for the title again with full confidence. Likewise, local hero John Degenkolb and serial winner Alexander Kristoff want to get the trophy back.

The new team of four-time winner Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux) has several options on the Taunus course. After a strong showing at Paris-Roubaix, Kristoff will confidently target a fifth win at one of his favorite races. German youngster Georg Zimmermann, who was caught just short of the finish last year, and Biniam Girmay are also part of the squad. The 21-year-old is set to return to racing in Eschborn after he wrote cycling history a few weeks ago.

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20 top teams compete in the German Classic Eschborn-Frankfurt

Four weeks before Germany's most prestigious classic, the 20 participating teams are selected. In addition to eleven WorldTeams and eight ProTeams a German national team will compete in Eschborn-Frankfurt. The selection promises a top-class start list, including all favorites of the last editions.

Last year, youngster Jasper Philipsen prevailed in Frankfurt's city center ahead of the big names. On May 1st, his Alpecin – Fenix ​​team is ready to defend its title. The two new teams from last year's podium riders, John Degenkolb (Team DSM) and Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux), are ready to accept the challenge. For the Belgian team, Biniam Girmay has already announced his return to racing in Eschborn. His victory at Gent-Wevelgem was a milestone in cycling: the 21-year-old is the first African rider to win a WorldTour classic.

Above, the teams of the German riders will compete in this key classic. Besides the only German team BORA – hansgrohe also Bahrain Victorious, Cofidis, EF Education – Easypost, Israel – Premier Tech, Lotto Soudal and UAE Team Emirates might select their German riders for the home audience. AG2R Citroën Team and Trek – Segafredo complete the international squads. From the ProTeams, the Top 5 of the UCI Europe Tour have confirmed their participation, including French outfits Team Arkéa – Samsic and TotalEnergies. The last spot on the starting list is assigned to a German national team. This give talents from the German Continental teams a chance to compete with the world's best in a WorldTour race.

 

UCI WorldTeams

  • AG2R Citroën Team
  • Bahrain Victorious
  • BORA – hansgrohe
  • Cofidis
  • EF Education – EasyPost
  • Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux
  • Israel – Premier Tech
  • Lotto Soudal
  • Team DSM
  • Trek – Segafredo
  • UAE Team Emirates 

UCI ProTeams

  • Alpecin – Fenix
  • B&B Hotels ­– KTM
  • Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB
  • Burgos-BH
  • Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise 
  • Team Arkéa – Samsic
  • TotalEnergies
  • Uno-X Pro Cycling Team

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