“The wait was worth it” – Michael Matthews wins Eschborn-Frankfurt 2025

May 1 ^st 2025 - 17:41

Michael Matthews (Team Jayco AlUla) has completed his personal Eschborn-Frankfurt podium set. After finishing third in 2011 during his first year as a professional and second in 2018, the Australian has now won the 62nd edition of the race. He sprinted to victory from a large lead group, ahead of Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility) and Jon Barrenetxea (Movistar Team). The best-placed German rider was Nico Denz (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) in ninth.

Around 30 riders reached the finish together after almost 200 kilometers. Only a few were still able to contest the sprint, where Matthews proved strongest. “Eschborn-Frankfurt is a race where I’ve been up front many times but had never won – until today. Fourteen years between my first podium here and this win makes it extra special. I had to wait a long time, which makes this victory even sweeter,” said the 34-year-old, celebrating his first win of the season.

“I had good legs all day, but I knew it would be hot and tough,” Matthews added, referring to the blazing sunshine over Frankfurt and the Taunus hills. “My team really gave everything from start to finish – that gave me even more confidence, because I really wanted to finish this off. Ending the classics block like this is fantastic.” Until now, his best result this season had been fourth place at Milan-Sanremo.

Right after the official start, a breakaway formed with Laurence Pithie (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) and Pierre Thierry (Arkéa – B&B Hotels). By the time they reached the Feldberg for the first time, they had built a six-minute gap. But the peloton quickly began to reduce the deficit.

Pithie was dropped on the first climb of Mammolshain, and Thierry was caught on the second ascent. With 90 kilometers to go, a sizeable lead group tackled the Feldberg a second time. There were no major attacks, but the pace set by Jayco AlUla and Uno-X significantly reduced the field. Early contenders such as Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek) lost contact.

Thanks to continued cooperation between the two teams, few riders were able to bridge back. On the final climb of Mammolshain, Maximilian Schachmann (Soudal Quick-Step), Gregor Mühlberger (Movistar Team) and Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility) attempted a move, aiming to stay away over the final 35 kilometers. Their lead remained slim, and they were caught before reaching Frankfurt – setting the stage for a final sprint.

A sprint from a reduced bunch was exactly what second-place finisher Magnus Cort had hoped for.

“Tough day, big group – that’s my kind of race,” said the 32-year-old Dane. “I definitely prefer sun over rain. For many riders this was the first really hot day of racing, and we had to be well prepared – the heat can really change things.” Temperatures reached up to 29 degrees Celsius in the region on May 1st.

Cort was pleased with the result – as was Jon Barrenetxea. “The atmosphere was amazing. I really enjoy racing in Germany, and last year’s Deutschland Tour was also a great experience for me. This result makes it even better.” Like Matthews, Barrenetxea also leaves Frankfurt with his best result of the season.

Fabian Wegmann, Race Director of Eschborn-Frankfurt, described the day as “a dream.”
“The weather made everything relaxed for everyone involved. We only had a minor crash, and the spectators were once again fantastic – especially in Mammolshain, where the atmosphere felt like a stadium. But even in the small towns along the course, people created a great vibe.” Several hundred thousand spectators lined the route.