Around the financial center Eschborn-Frankfurt is still one of the most important races of the year in the German cycling calendar. As in previous years, the 200-kilometer hunt through the Taunus attracted numerous well-known teams to Hessen this year. And these should ultimately also determine the finale.
The race was initially characterized by a leading group, which also included a driver in Paul Voss (NetApp-Endura), who suits the profile of the race. With the Dutchman Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) there was also a driver who could have outsmarted the favorites as a driver with a steady pace. However, neither MTN-Qhubeka nor Katusha and Giant-Shimano let the breakaways get too far. It's no wonder that they included the winners of the last two Milan-San Remo events, Gerald Ciolek and Alexander Kristoff, as well as John Degenkolb, who gave a strong performance in the classics this spring and is currently at home in Frankfurt.
Before the third crossing of the Mammolshainer Berg, the field divided. The speed dictate also claimed victims among the front runners. As a result, the race picked up more and more speed over the last fifty kilometers. A later attempt to escape by Fabian Wegmann (Garmin Sharp) and Silvio Herklotz (Stölting), who dragged a handful of drivers with them, did not result in a preliminary decision. On the contrary. The teams of the named favorites closed the gap just before the finish and positioned their captains. On the home straight, the Norwegian Kristoff proved to be too strong for Degenkolb. Third place went to Belgian Jerome Baugnies (Wanty-Groupe Goubert).
Result