Cycling: Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) won the one-day race around the Eschborn-Frankfurt financial center. The Norwegian prevailed in Frankfurt in front of the Alte Oper in the sprint against Maximiliano Richeze (Etixx – Quick-Step) and Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18). John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) celebrated his comeback after a long injury break, but did not make it to the finish.
After the traditional German race was not held last year due to suspicion of terrorism, the starting signal for the 55th edition of Around the Financial Center Eschborn-Frankfurt, as the one-day classic is now called, was given a year late this morning. As in 2014 - the last event before the forced break - Alexander Kristoff triumphed in the end.
It took more than 50km until the first breakaway group was able to break away from the field today in beautiful spring-like conditions. The seven drivers, including Niki Terpstra (Etixx – Quick-Step) and Björn Thurau (Wanty Groupe-Gobert), were able to extend their lead to several minutes within a short time. It then remained in this race constellation for some time of the total of a little more than 206 km. About 60km before the finish line at the Alte Oper in the Hessian state capital, however, the breakaway group was caught. Shortly thereafter, a group around Tony Martin (Etixx – Quick-Step) tried again to launch a decisive attack – but this fizzled out, as did David de la Cruz's solo attack a few kilometers later.
The field thus drove to the final kilometers as one and in the sprint it was once again Alexander Kristoff who was finally able to celebrate again after a rather disappointing classic season for him and his team. The Norwegian clearly showed his two pursuers Maximiliano Richeze and Sam Bennett from the German second division Bora-Argon 18 the limits. The best German was Fabian Wegmann (Stölting Service Groupe) in 10th place. Nevertheless, there was reason for joy for the German cycling fans: After a long injury break, John Degenkolb finally celebrated his racing comeback. Even though the 27-year-old had to give up after four hours, it's great to see him back on the bike.
Result All about the financial center Eschborn-Frankfurt 2016
| PLATZ | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | alexander kristoff | Nor | Team Katusha | 05:00:02 |
| 2 | Maximiliano Ariel Richeze | Angry | Etixx - Quick Step | |
| 3 | Sam Bennett | irl | Bora Argon 18 | |
| 4 | Pieter Vanspeybrouck | Call us | Top sport Vlaanderen - Baloise | |
| 5 | Yves Lampaert | Call us | Etixx - Quick Step | |
| 6 | Tom Devriendt | Call us | Wanty - Groupe Gobert | |
| 7 | Pavel Franczak | Pol | Initiateclassic-Ago | |
| 8 | Maurits Lammertink | Ned | Roompot - Orange Peloton | |
| 9 | Bartlomiej Matysiak | Pol | CCC Sprandi Polkowice | |
| 10 | Fabian Wegman | Jer | Stˆlting Service Group |