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Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt: May 1st

Yes, I know it's a bit of a mouthful, but it's Germany's big one dayer and when they aren't cancelling races, because cycling is the only sport that has a drugs problem, they know how to provide coverage.
Formally, the Henninger Turm. Live and direct, the whole race, here:
http://www.hr-online.de/website/fer...p?rubrik=30666&key=standard_document_33394446

Race site is sparse. If anybody can find a race profile on here:
http://www.eschborn-frankfurt.de/
Startlist etc is there to be seen.

Winning this made Fabian Wegmann's 2009.
 
http://www.eschborn-frankfurt.de/files/fotos/1271864279_2.jpg

Here's the route. At the site, click on 'Profi-Rennen' (Pro Race), then on the submenu that comes up, click on 'Streckenplan'. That'll give you this map, a map of the finishing circuit, which is now around the Finanzdistrikt and with the finish at Opernplatz, and an interactive map which also shows the parcours. I can't link to that here however.

I like the look of the new route though I am also rather disappointed - though the route passed by me on the old Rund um den Henninger Turm, this new route starts right outside where I used to live! The highest peak is the Kittelhütte, as the race snakes north out of Frankfurt into the Taunus mountains, with about 600m of climbing from Frankfurt to the Kittelhütte. They could probably use more of these mountains - there's some very nice terrain around there. After the Kittelhütte, however, they'll turn southwards for a circuit that is mostly descent or flat until the vicious Mammolshain, a short but extremely steep climb that reaches 23%. After that there is a bit more of a climb to the Bittelhöhe and Glashütten before completing the circuit. They'll then repeat that circuit as far as the Mammolshain before hanging a sharp left and beginning the mostly flat final 30km, finishing on a circuit of the financial district outside the Alte Oper, the beautiful restored opera house. It's an interesting race in that sprinters can win but they need to be tough to hang it out over the likes of the Mammolshain.
 
May 6, 2009
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Any idea on how I could possibly pronounce that name?

And former winner Kroon enjoying one of his awards from winning the race:

DV308550.jpg
 
In an hour a friend is picking me up and we're going to watch the race live @ three spots, the Oberursel sprint, the steep climb in Mamolshain and the finish in downtown Frankfurt. We went last year and I'm really exited to go again.

In Germany everybody think it's gonna be Columbia vs. Milram with thinking Columbia is riding for Greipel and Milram for Wegmann. While the latter is obvious I'm not so sure bout Columbia. Tony Martin lives in the area and knows that nasty Taunus climbs well.

I don't know if it's geo-restricted, but the TV Station hr has a live stream starting at 11:45 CEST
http://www.hr-online.de/website/rubriken/sport/index.jsp?rubrik=55561
(already in the OP, but doesn't harm to say it again)

Start list: http://www.eschborn-frankfurt.de/popups/pdf/starterliste_elite_20100430.pdf
Time schedule: http://www.eschborn-frankfurt.de/popups/pdf/durchfahrtszeiten.pdf
Map/GPS based profile: http://www.bikemap.net/route/384187
 
No.
It's the same link I posted yesterday. I've checked it and its working fine-excellent picture quality.
Yes, 11-45CET until 17-00CET, so, the entire race.
It's on my tv, too.:)

One of the climbs has been "capped" due to local restrictions, I think.
 
Mellow Velo said:
One of the climbs has been "capped" due to local restrictions, I think.

They won't be climbing the Feldberg. The police have closed it to all cyclists, the winter was so hard that the road is in bad condition, and it is considered too dangerous. The ban was originally for hobby riders, but authorities decided not to grant a waiver for the pros.

Susan
 
May 6, 2009
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I don't think I would live in Frankfurt even if you paid me. I only went there to catch an aeroplane and I was bored for the majority of the 30 hours I spent there. But otherwise the bike race is cool.
 
It's one of those places where there is plenty to do, you just have to look for it. You also have to have the freedom to use the region around it too - plenty of access on cheap public transport. I absolutely loved my time in the city and doubt I'll ever have that good a time again, to be totally honest.
 
May 15, 2009
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mortand said:
Wegmann's gotta be the happiest man I've seen all year. What a joy! That surely was an important victory for him (and the team).

Last year they also won in this race

Gaining more wins is still a serious problem to Milram
 
joy118118 said:
Last year they also won in this race

Gaining more wins is still a serious problem to Milram

Yes, but this year they have some other wins already such as Tirreno-Adriatico. For sponsors, however, this result is big because it's - along with Cyclassics - the most important race in the German cycling calendar. Team NetApp were very good too, getting 3 riders in the decisive selection.

Susan, I couldn't hear you because I'm not in Frankfurt any more. If I were in Germany I wouldn't be surprised. I was giving a dressing down to Christian Knees for not holding on long enough to give Wegmann a proper leadout.
 
May 15, 2009
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Susan Westemeyer said:
I've not heard anything, and offhand would see the chances don't look good.

I think a lot depends on Milram -- if they get a new German sponsor, that would help German cycling, but if they fold, then you can tell German cycling good bye.

Susan

It will be a pity. There are a lot of talents in Germany.