The 58th edition of Eschborn-Frankfurt offers a selective course through the Taunus area. The German WorldTour race lines-up along the great spring classics. Only three days after Liege-Bastogne-Liège, the pros can look forward to further challenges on May 1st. 187.5 kilometers long and with 3,222 meters of altitude, the German Classic will live up to its name again. The Taunus loop, which was redesigned last year, has proven itself and will be conquered this year in a slightly different sequence. In addition to the Feldberg (11km at 4.8%), the race again leads four times over the famous Mammolshainer hill (2.3km at 8.2%), twice over the Ruppertshain ascent (1.3km at 8.6%) and once over the Billtalhöhe (2.6km at 6.2%). In 2018, Germanys most traditional one-day race was marked by many attacks and the race outcome was open until the final. Reason enough to maintain the Taunus icons and their unique classic character.
The race will be decided on a new loop in Frankfurt, where the riders will cross the Main river with the skyline in sight. Given a slightly different approach to the finish in front of the Frankfurt Old Opera, the last corner is now 500 meters ahead of the finish line. This will make the finishing straight, clearer and longer. The new finish loop in Frankfurt is 6.5 kilometers long and will be raced two and a half times.
In 2018, Eschborn-Frankfurt was broadcasted in 190 countries on 5 continents for the first time. This year, the German Classic has a special treat for its home fans. In addition to the live broadcast from start to finish that will be aired by the regional TV station (Hessischer Rundfunk), German national broadcaster ARD will broadcast live from the race. For the German fans, it’s the first time since 2007 that the race can be followed on national TV again.
Claude Rach, Managing Director of the Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Radsports, the German subsidiary of the race organizer A.S.O: “The decision of the ARD underlines the success of the German Classic. Now we can transport the great enthusiasm from Eschborn, Frankfurt and the Taunus area to all German cycling fans. The ARD broadcast will start just in time for the third crossing of the Mammolshainer hill. Thanks to the unique atmosphere on the course, the Mammolshainer has become an icon, a true hotspot of Eschborn-Frankfurt.”
Besides the WorldTour race, 5,500 amateur cyclists will participate in the ŠKODA Velotour. The sportive of Eschborn-Frankfurt offers three routes of 40, 87 and 100 kilometers. As of now, a signing record is emerging. Compared to the same date in 2018, 30% more participants have registered already for the ŠKODA Velotour – underlining the growing attraction of the German Classic.
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