Preview Eschborn-Frankfurt 2025 | Where spring classics meet Giro (and everything in between)

In the past, the race was known as Rund um den Henninger Turm, and for years, it was one of the more famous one-day races that many top riders wanted to win. With Erik Zabel, Michele Bartoli, Karsten Kroon, and Michele Bartoli among the winners, they often succeeded, but with the introduction of the reformed World Cup, the race faded into the background.

In 2017, it finally appeared at the highest level, but it had become more of a sprinter's race by then. For example, Alexander Kristoff won four times, but Sam Bennett, Jasper Philipsen, and Pascal Ackermann also found success in Frankfurt.

Two years ago, the organizers of the German WorldTour race made some changes to make the race more attractive, which had immediate results. Soren Kragh Andersen won the race that season with an attack, after which Maxim Van Gils added his name to the list of winners of the one-day race in 2024.

2024 Maxim Van Gils
2023 Soren Kragh Andersen
2022 Sam Bennett
2021 Jasper Philipsen
2020 Canceled
2019 Pascal Ackermann
2018 Alexander Kristoff
2017 Alexander Kristoff
2016 Alexander Kristoff
2015 Canceled

After last year's revamped edition, the verdict was “an instant success." Race director Fabian Wegmann has, therefore, kept the route intact. This means that we will again have to conquer the Feldberg twice—from both sides—and the Mammolshainer several times. This brings the total distance to around 200 kilometers: 198.7 kilometers, to be precise.

We will start in Eschborn, after which we will reach the top of the Feldberg (11 km at 4.8%) for the first time after 46 kilometers. We will then descend to the Mammolshein, the 2.3 km hill at 8.3% that prepares the way for the steeper side of the Feldberg at 7.6 km at 5.5%. If there are teams that want to make the race tough, they will probably make their move around the halfway point.

At around 35 kilometers from the finish, we must tackle the Mammolshein again before heading towards Frankfurt. There is also a local lap on the program, meaning the sprinters will not necessarily have to give up after tackling the hills. In the past two seasons, a small group of riders made it over the final climb, after which an interesting battle ensued in the streets of Germany's financial center.

Climbs
41.3 km: Feldberg (11.0 km a 4.8%)
86.7 km: Mammolshain (2.3 km a 8.3%)
101.5 km: Mammolshain (2.3 km a 8.3%)
111.5 km: Feldberg (7.6 km a 6.5%)
163.8 km: Mammolshain (2.3 km a 8.3%)

Weather
It's going to be a nice summer day in Germany! 23 degrees Celsius, some clouds in the sky, and a light breeze: that's what the riders and fans can expect. Ideal weather for cycling!

Times.

Due to the changed course, we are seeing more and more men extending their season after the Ardennes, although after a Monument like Liège, it is always difficult to predict who still has some energy left in the tank. Thibau Nys is already motivated to give it his all. The Belgian could have won this race last year but got boxed in. He is back to prove himself this year, with a strong team to support him. The number five in Liège-Bastogne-Liège will have Andrea Bagioli, sixth in La Doyenne, riding alongside him.

Looking ahead to the Giro d'Italia, two interesting fast men are on the provisional start list: Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike) and the young Soudal Quick-Step talent Paul Magnier. Kooij broke his collarbone in Gent-Wevelgem at the end of March, so it is not yet known whether he will actually be competing. Magnier, who also had quite a few crashes this spring, is racing for the first time after a long break.

You can count on riders who can finish strong after a tough race. Alex Aranburu (Cofidis) finished second last year and will now be joined by Dylan Teuns. Marijn van den Berg (EF Education-EasyPost) has a strong EF team with Alex Baudin and Lukas Nerkurar, among others. At the same time, Florian Vermeersch, Alessandro Covi, and Antonio Morgado (UAE Emirates-XRG) are the possible spearheads of the best team in the world.

Also Carlos Canal, Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar), Roger Adria (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, where defending champion Maxim Van Gils is struggling), Tobias Lund Andresen (Picnic PostNL), Julian Alaphilippe, Rick Pluimers (Tudor), Magnus Cort (Uno-X, also with the Johannese, Dversnes and Hoelgaard brothers) and Jenthe Biermans (Arkéa - B&B) could still be in contention. Simone Velasco, who finished fourth in Liège, will also compete alongside Cees Bol and Max Kanter at XDS-Astana, among others.

Top favorites: Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek) and Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step)

Eschborn-Frankfurt can be followed from start to finish on Wednesday. The German race can be seen from noon (06:00 AM EDT )on the online platforms of Eurosport/HBO Max. The main channel has opted to broadcast the Tours of Turkey and Romandy instead.