Pressemitteilungen 2022

May 1^st, 2022

Sam Bennett has won the 61^st edition of Eschborn-Frankfurt and delivered a win on home soil for his team BORA-hansgrohe. After 183.9 kilometers the winner of the Green Jersey of the Tour de France won the Sprint Royale in Frankfurt City. Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) and four-time winner Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux) finished on the podium; Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious) was the best German rider in fourth place.

A breakaway and many attacks made the first half of the race. And it was the iconic, steep Mammolshainer climb that influenced the outcome of the race. After the second crossing, still 95 kilometers from the finish, the gap was already down to 1:35 minutes. Local rider Jonas Rutsch (EF Eduaction-EasyPost) and his compatriot Georg Zimmermann (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux) attacked, the speed in the field increased, more and more breakaway riders were caught– which led to even more attacks. In the fourth and final Mammolshain passage, all breakaways were neutralized.

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May 1^st, 2022

At 8:45 a.m., the first starting signal of the day sounded in Eschborn. Divided into six starting areas, the participants of the ŠKODA Velotour Classic took to the course first. They rode the long distance over 100 kilometers with the legendary climbs and Taunus icons. From the Feldberg to the Mammolshainer Stich, the amateur cyclists tested the classic bike route before the professionals.

The large majority of all starters had decided for the long round with 1700 meters of altitude. After the start in Eschborn, the course headed towards Frankfurt city center. From the finish area of the professionals at the Alte Oper, the route led towards the Feldberg. Here there were already the first attacks from the peloton, but they were stopped in Oberursel, at the foot of the eleven-kilometer climb. The fastest ascent to the 500 meters of altitude was completed by Martin Maertens (25:33 minutes) and Laura Tibitanzl (28:36 minutes). They secured the title of Tissot Mountain King and Tissot Mountain Queen, receiving the official mountain jersey and a high-quality Tissot watch.

Shortly before the summit of the highest mountain in the Taunus region, three other athletes launched attacks, but were caught up again by Niederreifenberg. Immediately afterwards, Sean Feldhaus of Team Strassacker broke away as a soloist on the climb to Kittelhütte. As the race progressed, he built up a lead of up to 1:30 minutes.

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April 30^st, 2022

60 years after the first edition, Eschborn-Frankfurt is back on May 1. Tomorrow at 12:15 pm, 131 riders will start the German Classic. The first German pro race of the season will cover 183.9 kilometers. A demanding Taunus circuit characterizes the route into the city of Frankfurt. Sprint royale or arrival of a group - the outcome of the race is open, and the favorites are preparing for all options.

It's been ten years since a group decided the victory. Since then, a sprinter has always come out on top in the big showdown. Last year's winner Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin - Fenix) is in special focus. But the veterans around local hero John Degenkolb (Team DSM) and Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux) want to steal the show from the youngster this time. Kristoff has already competed seven times in the cycling classic - six times he has been on the podium. Whether his team will rely on experience or youth, will be revealed tomorrow at around 4:30 pm. Eventually Biniam Girmay will also use his return to racing for the next WorldTour success.

A look at the start list promises an open race. Many teams are going for the double strategy with sprinters and classics riders both lining-up. Will the iconic Taunus circuit with the steep Mammolshainer climb cause a selection or will the peloton regroup for a sprint at the Alte Oper in the heart of Frankfurt?

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April 29^th, 2022

The start of May traditionally also opens the season of German professional races. After a two-year break, Eschborn-Frankfurt will again take place on the traditional date. Back on May 1 is also the typical cycling classic atmosphere. In the best spring weather, numerous fans are expected at the start in Eschborn, at the Taunus icons and in the finish area in Frankfurt City. Sixty years after the race was first held, the cycling festival will once again provide a fitting backdrop.

Elite race

The professionals will start at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday in Eschborn. For them, 183.9 kilometers are scheduled on the way through the Taunus to the finish in Frankfurt. Fans who want to plan their visit to the course can find the passage times of the pros at the key points of the Taunus course at www.eschborn-frankfurt.de/en/home/verkehr. Starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Alte Oper, visitors can expect to see the winner of the 2022 cycling classic.

Favorites include last year's winner, Jaspar Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix), as well as local hero John Degenkolb (Team DSM) and series winner Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux). From a German perspective, all eyes will be on Jonas Rutsch (EF Education - EasyPost), who makes his debut in the pro edition of his home race. Deutschland Tour winner Nils Politt (BORA-hansgrohe) and Rick Zabel (Israel - Premier Tech), runner-up in 2017, are also looking forward to the first race of the season in front of German fans.

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April 28^th, 2022

When the Eschborn-Frankfurt cycling classic kicks off the German professional season on May 1, ŠKODA will once again be right in the thick of things. The long-standing partnership with ŠKODA AUTO Germany has now been extended until at least 2023, including an option for a further extension. The brand is sending a fleet of 35 support and organization vehicles on the road, including the electric ŠKODA ENYAQ iV as the lead vehicle of the professional field.

The striking red-painted electric SUV already has Tour de France experience. On May 1, it will also lead the cycling elite as they race for the prestigious victory in the German UCI WorldTour classic. The race's sporting director, Fabian Wegmann, will use the vehicle as a mobile command center, directing the race action from the ENYAQ iV thanks to sophisticated communications technology.

In addition to the top professionals, 6,000 amateur cyclists will also be racing their cycling classic on May 1. It is already the 21st edition of the ŠKODA Velotour, where everyone can choose from three routes between Eschborn, Frankfurt and the Taunus. As the name giver, the brand is sending over 140 starters into the race with the ŠKODA Veloteam. The ŠKODA Velotour has established itself as one of the largest hobby bike races in Germany.

ŠKODA AUTO Deutschland has put together a colorful supporting program for fans along the route. At the central roadshow on Frankfurt's Opernplatz, the brand will be exhibiting current model highlights such as the new ŠKODA ENYAQ COUPÉ iV and the new ŠKODA FABIA.

For fans who can't make it to the race track to visit, the entire professional race will be broadcast live on TV and stream. Thanks to the hr production, fans will not miss a second of the race action from the start in Eschborn to the finish in Frankfurt. The cycling classic is the only German cycling race to offer a complete, five-hour live broadcast.

April 27^th, 2022

Back at the traditional date, Eschborn-Frankfurt is attracting big names. On May 1^st, the entire podium of last year's 60^th edition will meet again. Jasper Philipsen already sprinted to three wins this season and will go for the title again with full confidence. Likewise, local hero John Degenkolb and serial winner Alexander Kristoff want to get the trophy back.

The new team of four-time winner Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux) has several options on the Taunus course. After a strong showing at Paris-Roubaix, Kristoff will confidently target a fifth win at one of his favorite races. German youngster Georg Zimmermann, who was caught just short of the finish last year, and Biniam Girmay are also part of the squad. The 21-year-old is set to return to racing in Eschborn after he wrote cycling history a few weeks ago.

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April 22^nd, 2022

Four weeks before Germany's most prestigious classic, the 20 participating teams are selected. In addition to eleven WorldTeams and eight ProTeams a German national team will compete in Eschborn-Frankfurt. The selection promises a top-class start list, including all favorites of the last editions.

Last year, youngster Jasper Philipsen prevailed in Frankfurt's city center ahead of the big names. On May 1^st, his Alpecin – Fenix ​​team is ready to defend its title. The two new teams from last year's podium riders, John Degenkolb (Team DSM) and Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux), are ready to accept the challenge. For the Belgian team, Biniam Girmay has already announced his return to racing in Eschborn. His victory at Gent-Wevelgem was a milestone in cycling: the 21-year-old is the first African rider to win a WorldTour classic.

Above, the teams of the German riders will compete in this key classic. Besides the only German team BORA – hansgrohe also Bahrain Victorious, Cofidis, EF Education – Easypost, Israel – Premier Tech, Lotto Soudal and UAE Team Emirates might select their German riders for the home audience. AG2R Citroën Team and Trek – Segafredo complete the international squads. From the ProTeams, the Top 5 of the UCI Europe Tour have confirmed their participation, including French outfits Team Arkéa – Samsic and TotalEnergies. The last spot on the starting list is assigned to a German national team. This give talents from the German Continental teams a chance to compete with the world's best in a WorldTour race.