Registration for Škoda Velotour 2024 started
May 23rd, 2023
After the huge success of the Škoda Velotour this year, registration for May 1, 2024 is already starting. With 8,000 registrations, the event as part of the Eschborn-Frankfurt German classic was already fully booked several weeks in advance. Being quick is not only worthwhile for this reason - those who book early also register at a low price. Starting places for one of the biggest hobby cycling races in Germany are now available at www.skoda-velotour.de.
In 2024, the Škoda Velotour will again offer the established courses Taunus Classic, Taunus Express and Skyline route. Beginners are best advised to opt for the approximately 40-kilometer, flat route from Eschborn to downtown Frankfurt and back. For all early bookers, a ride is available for as little as 45 euros.
The two longer Škoda Velotour rounds lead through the Taunus region. For all routes, the roads belong entirely to the Velotour participants, as the course is completely closed off. The Classic route cracks the delightful 100-kilometer mark and leads over the decisive climbs of the elite Eschborn-Frankfurt race, the Feldberg and the Mammolshainer Stich. Somewhat shorter at around 90 kilometers is the express loop, which skips the detour to Mammolshain. As in previous years, the two long distances will again be timed on the ascent of the Feldberg to crown the Tissot Bergkönig and Bergkönigin.
Danish victory at Eschborn-Frankfurt: Søren Kragh Andersen wins group sprint
May 1st, 2023
The route change at Eschborn-Frankfurt achieved exactly what it was supposed to: suspense until the absolute finale. Even 5 kilometers before the finish it was not clear whether the peloton would be able to close the small gap to the leading group. But it was enough for the leaders! After a Danish double victory was celebrated earlier today in the U23 race, a Dane also prevailed in the WorldTour classic. 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) were the best Germans in sixth and seventh place.
In front of an impressive backdrop, Max Walscheid (Cofidis) opened the race shortly after the 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 cities and Frankfurt created a record-breaking atmosphere for the German Classic.
Although the lead of the group had already shrunk considerably after the first Feldberg crossing, the riders still made it over the first two Mammolshain climbs, 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 went clear, with only Michael Matthews (Team Jayco Alula) among the fast riders. Accordingly, the group did not run smoothly and was caught 52 kilometers before the finish. At the last Mammolshain climb, 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).