The Belgian professional cyclist Maxim van Gils has won the 61st edition of the one-day classic Eschborn-Frankfurt.
After a heat race over a good 200 kilometers, the 24-year-old prevailed from a remaining group of around 25 professionals and thus secured victory in the Hesse Main metropolis. He follows the Dane Sören Kragh Andersen, who won last year. Alex Aranburu from Spain and Riley Sheehan from the USA completed the podium at the Alte Oper.
The German professionals around local hero John Degenkolb clearly missed their first victory in the traditional race since 2019. Five years ago, sprinter Pascal Ackermann was the last German to win the prestigious race.
Courageous performance from Degenkolb
As in the previous year, the route took the field twice to the Feldberg. Overall, the many meters in altitude made it difficult for the sprinters on Labor Day, and only a few professionals remained in the top group.
Degenkolb, who had recently been plagued by knee problems, put in a courageous performance in front of tens of thousands of fans. The 35-year-old dominated the classic as part of a three-man leading group over large parts of the race. In the meantime, the breakaway’s lead was more than seven minutes. Degenkolb was caught by the peloton 90 kilometers from the finish and ultimately had no chance of winning. Emanuel Buchmann’s attacks were also unsuccessful in the end.
