Eschborn–Frankfurt 2026: Timing will be key
April 30 th 2026 - 14:41
Riders and Sporting Director Fabian Wegmann share their views ahead of the 1 May classic
The countdown to Eschborn–Frankfurt is on. On Friday, the 63rd edition of the German WorldTour classic will take place. With more than 3,300 metres of elevation gain and new key sections, the race is set to be more demanding than ever. Climbing-capable classics riders are therefore considered the favourites under the revised course conditions.
The race gets underway in Eschborn, where the UCI WorldTour event will start at 11:45 am on the Eschenplatz. After an early passage through Frankfurt, the race heads into the Taunus hills. This year, the course places significantly greater demands on the riders than in previous editions. In particular, the combination of two ascents of the Feldberg, three passages over the newly introduced Burgweg climb in Schmitten-Niederreifenberg, and repeated crossings of the Mammolshain ascent will shape the race across multiple key phases.
The Mammolshain climb in particular – tackled three times – is expected to play a key role. It is here that the field traditionally begins to split, and this year should be no different. From there, the riders face the final 35 kilometres back to Frankfurt. In front of the Alte Oper, a 6.6-kilometre finishing circuit, including an additional finish-line passage, will decide the race, with the winner set to be determined at around 5:00 pm.
Multiple scenarios in a wide-open race
The list of potential contenders is extensive: Søren Kragh Andersen, Alex Aranburu, Jon Barrenetxea, Pello Bilbao, Brandon McNulty, Magnus Cort Nielsen and Tom Pidcock are among the riders who could thrive on the demanding terrain.
In contrast, fast finishers are also in contention, although their chances will depend heavily on how selective the race becomes in the Taunus. This group includes German riders Pascal Ackermann and local favourite John Degenkolb.
From a German perspective, attention is not only on established names such as Ackermann, Degenkolb and Nils Politt, but also on riders including Felix Engelhardt, Lennard Kämna and Georg Zimmermann.
John Degenkolb (Team Picnic PostNL):
“It’s a very special race for me because I have a strong connection to the region. I live in Oberursel in the Taunus and know the roads, the climbs and the atmosphere here very well. That’s what makes this race so unique for me. You’re not just racing somewhere – you’re racing almost on your doorstep, and you can really feel that along the entire course. The atmosphere in the Taunus and later in Frankfurt is always something special. It’s great to be able to race in front of a home crowd and be part of an event that is so deeply rooted in the region.”
Pascal Ackermann (Team Jayco AlUla):
“Eschborn–Frankfurt is always something special for me. I have great memories of the race, especially my win in 2019 in the national champion’s jersey. Of course, the course has become significantly harder over the years, which doesn’t make things easier for sprinters. Still, it’s a race I really enjoy lining up for. Racing in Germany, in front of so many fans and with this unique atmosphere in Frankfurt and the Taunus, means a lot to me. This year, it’s also an important test of form ahead of the Giro d’Italia.”
Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates-XRG):
“For me, Eschborn–Frankfurt is an important race every year because it’s something special to ride in front of a German crowd. The course has become much more demanding, which naturally suits classics riders more. But in the end, you don’t just need strong legs – you also need a strong team and the right race situation. That’s what we’ll be aiming to create. The atmosphere in the Taunus and later in Frankfurt is always great, and on 1 May the race has a very unique character. I’m really looking forward to being part of it again and racing in Germany.”
Lennard Kämna (Lidl-Trek):
“I am very much looking forward to Eschborn–Frankfurt. For every German rider, it’s a special race. The race has a very special atmosphere – there’s always a great vibe along the entire route. But above all, the race gives many riders the chance to win. It’s a very versatile race and open to different types of riders. That’s what I’m really looking forward to.”
Fabian Wegmann (Sporting Director of Eschborn–Frankfurt):
“We’ve made the course progressively more demanding over the past few years, and I think we’ve now found a very exciting balance. Eschborn–Frankfurt is evolving again into a classic for strong all-rounders, without losing its original character. That mix of the Taunus hills, tough climbs and the finale in Frankfurt is what makes the race so special. For me personally, the race has a special meaning, as I’ve had some great successes here. That makes it all the more rewarding to offer both the fans and the riders another high-quality race this year.”
Further information on the race and the supporting programme: