Top Classics Specialists Battle for Victory at Eschborn-Frankfurt 2025
April 30 th 2025 - 12:10
The search is on for the winner of the 62nd edition of Eschborn-Frankfurt. Since the route change in 2023, Germany’s May 1st Cycling Classic has once again become a race for classics specialists.
Although last year’s winner Maxim Van Gils had to cancel his participation at short notice due to health issues, a strong line-up of top riders such as Thibau Nys, Ben Healy, and Alex Aranburu will take on the challenging course, which features the climbs of the Feldberg and the Mammolshainer Stich.
Meanwhile, a small group of sprinters led by Pascal Ackermann will not give up without a fight and will do everything possible to reach the finish line in Frankfurt after 198.7 kilometers together with the experts for hilly terrain.
The biggest German hope this year is Maximilian Schachmann.
Alex Aranburu (Cofidis): “I really enjoyed the race last year. It was my first time in Frankfurt and I have very good memories of it. I hope I can repeat my second place from last year and perform at a similar level. At the moment, I’m feeling pretty good. My form was strong in the Basque Country and in the Ardennes. I’ll give it my best to fight for the win here in Germany as well – and I’m confident that I can do it.”
Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling): “I’m really excited to be starting a big race like Eschborn-Frankfurt. It’s another “first time” for me this year, and I think the course is a great fit. I’m feeling good, the whole team’s in top form, and we’re ready for a great race on Thursday.”
Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step): “Last year in Frankfurt was tough for me because I had a mechanical right before the key climbing section. That’s why I’m happy to come back and see if I might have a bit more luck this time. I’m also here to find out where I stand just before my first Grand Tour, the Giro d’Italia. But I think I’m well prepared and maybe I can already show something here in Frankfurt. We have a strong team, and we want to race for the win.”
Michael Matthews (Team Jayco AlUla): “Eschborn-Frankfurt is always a tough race but a one-day race that I like. I’ve been second in the event before back in 2017 and my shape is really good and along with Mauro Schmid who is also in great form at the moment we hope to finish on the podium, ideally with a victory. It’s nice to continue some one-day racing after the Ardennes block so it fits well on the calendar and I’m really looking forward to the race. I hope the weather is good. I haven’t done so many races in Germany during my career, so I am always excited to return."
Maximilian Schachmann (Soudal Quick-Step): „I’m happy to be returning to Frankfurt, after making my debut there with the pros last year. The course has become more challenging over the years, but the last 30 kilometers are still flat. The day is demanding nonetheless, so it’s difficult to force a decision in the hills and avoid a bunch sprint. I hope I’ve come out of the Ardennes week in good shape so I can deliver a strong race for the home crowd.”
Pascal Ackermann (Israel – Premier Tech): “After my crash in the spring at Tirreno-Adriatico, expectations have to be adjusted a bit. This will be my first race since mid-March, the first one where I have regained confidence in my knee. I have trained well over the past three weeks, but the race is so tough that as a sprinter, you really need to be in top form. And I’m not quite there yet. But you never know, sometimes with no pressure, miracles happen. However, we’re also here with a strong team. I just need to show the guys where to position themselves at the front to save energy. But I also want to see how far I can go. If I make it to the sprint, I’ll of course sprint myself.”
Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates – XRG): “Unfortunately, my form is only moderate. After my crash at Roubaix, I had serious issues for a week and couldn’t train for a while. I don’t think I’ll be fighting for the top spots, but we have a strong team, and we want to try something. I’ll likely take on a support role, but I’m still happy to be on the start line in Frankfurt. For me, it’s always a must on the race calendar. The weather looks promising too, and I’m really looking forward to presenting myself to the German fans.”
The WorldTour race Eschborn-Frankfurt will start at 12:05 p.m. at Rathausplatz in Eschborn. After a first loop into Frankfurt and an early crossing of the finish line after just 10 kilometers, the route heads directly towards the Feldberg climb. After 41 kilometers, the first mountain points will be awarded at the summit. The course continues via Schmitten, Glashütten, and Eppstein, before heading through Sulzbach to Mammolshain, where riders must tackle the steep Mammolshainer Stich twice within 15 kilometers. With gradients exceeding eight percent, the Stich is a critical section.
Immediately after the second ascent, the race heads into the second climb of the Feldberg – shorter but even steeper. Riders will have completed 111 kilometers by the time they reach the highest point of the race at 857 meters for the second time. From the summit, the race descends via Schmitten and takes a now familiar route for a third ascent of the Mammolshainer Stich, again awarding mountain points. This marks the final major climb of the race. The course then leads back towards Frankfurt, passing through Eschborn once again, before tackling a final 6.6-kilometer finishing circuit in front of the Alte Oper. After this last lap – and one more crossing of the finish line – the winner of the Radklassiker 2025 is expected to be crowned around 5:00 p.m..
