Cycle race Eschborn-Frankfurt: "Final laps in Frankfurt are not available"

The professional race had little to offer action and excitement before the finish sprint.

Do you see it as a danger that the big teams Eschborn

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In recent years, the number of drivers taking part in the race finals has grown steadily.

The fact is: the teams bring their best and well-known sprinters with them to Eschborn-Frankfurt.

We're already thinking about how to sharpen the character of the race.

On the other hand, the influence for us as organizers is also limited because the teams and the drivers make the race ...

...and increasingly cementing the course of the race with their choice of rider types and the desire for a quiet, sprinter-friendly day in the saddle.

We'll look and see what's possible to get an animation for the pros for an offensive race.

Incidentally, things got moving when local hero Jonasutsch initiated an escape group in the Taunus.

But because many teams in the field agreed, this had little chance of success.

Where do you see possibilities and leeway to bring about more classic racing feeling than a pure exchange of blows between the sprinters?

We will collect impressions and ideas, for example the experiences of our sports director and ex-professional Fabian Wegmann.

I don't see much room for fundamental changes - but the day after the event it's still too early for that.

But we will definitely initiate the process.

Would it be an option to reintegrate the traditional climb on the Hainer Weg in the race finale?

We did that in 2018 on the occasion of the new construction of the Henninger Turm.

I've talked to drivers about exactly that.

In their eyes, an increase in this category is not enough to change a lot during the race.

Maybe we need to think about the overall length as well.

In 2018 it was over 200 kilometers long, this year only 184. If we wanted to add a few extra kilometers, the question arises: where do we go and how can this be achieved.

Bringing about fundamental changes in a metropolitan region like Frankfurt is a long process.

It is 40 kilometers from the last crossing over the Mammolshainer Berg to the finish in front of the Alte Oper.

Too much for a small group to have a realistic chance of getting through.

Shouldn't you start there?

Yes.

If the teams agree at the back, they always catch the breakaways on this stretch.

Jonasrutsch said: 'I can't drive any faster than 60.'

In my opinion, the final rounds in Frankfurt are not up for grabs.

When the field races through the high-rise canyons, the spectators can really feel how fast and with how much power the pros drive.

And the images that are created there are also great for the television viewer.

For the first time since 2019, the major event could take place again on May 1st and without any significant corona restrictions.

That was really good for us.

To be back again on May 1st and to have an event as people know bike racing on May 1st.

With good weather and a lot of spectators.

Feedback from many racing drivers was that it was great fun.

Jonasrutsch said he had never heard his name so many times in a race.

After the cancellation in 2020 and the corona-related appeal last year not to come to the track: did you expect masses of spectators to come again?

Last year's edition for the unusual autumn date caused a great deal of work.

But it is very important that an annual event actually takes place, because otherwise it becomes more difficult.

We hoped that people would embrace race day and come to the track like before.

That May 1st and Eschborn-Frankfurt belong together - this feeling seems to have survived the corona pandemic.