Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt: May 1st

[Mellow Velo]

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.

 

[jaylew]

I thought cycling was banned in Deutschland??

 

[Libertine Seguros]

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.

 

[ingsve]

Yes, I know it's a bit of a mouthful, but it's Germany's big one dayer...

I thought Germany's big one dayer was Sponsor Cyclassics in Hamburg.

 

[Mellow Velo]

I thought Germany's big one dayer was Sponsor Cyclassics in Hamburg.

Well, yes......but outside that pro tour thingy.

 

[craig1985]

Any idea on how I could possibly pronounce that name?

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

 

[blaxland]

Any idea on how I could possibly pronounce that name?

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

Will Kroon be riding this year after his crash?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Will Kroon be riding this year after his crash?

No, he is coming back at the Tour of Cali.

 

[screaming fist]

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

 

[Mellow Velo]

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.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

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

 

[screaming fist]

Knowing these roads a bit (I grew up 60km north of Frankfurt), I have to agree with the organizers: The roads they use instead of the Feldberg may turn out to be way more dangerous than the original route would have been.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

roond oom dayn feenantsplats eshborn-frankfurt.

They rode past my old house a few minutes ago. I've always loved this race.

 

[craig1985]

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.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

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.

 

[Faserr]

Wegmann won

 

[mortand]

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).

 

[Libertine Seguros]

That was a seriously impressive sprint by Wegmann too, must have gone from half a kilometre out!

 

[joy118118]

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

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

That was a seriously impressive sprint by Wegmann too, must have gone from half a kilometre out!

Did you hear me yelling at the tv, "Fabian, you've gone too early!!"

Susan

 

[Libertine Seguros]

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.

 

[aarnold517]

it was a great sprint by wegmann to hold everyone off, and i havent seen anyone that happy after a win in a long time. i thought he was going to tackle knees at one point during the celebration

 

[jaylew]

Hey Susan, is there any talk there about bringing back the Deutschland Tour or is it still too soon? What are your feelings as to whether or not it will eventually be back?

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

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

 

[joy118118]

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.