Preview: Eschborn-Frankfurt. World Tour sprinters reunite in sprinter's classic

On the first day of May the World Tour peloton will be heading to Germany for the first time this year where they will be riding the Eschborn-Frankfurt classic. A day that usually sees sprinters thrive, however a very open route always makes way for exciting races.

The riders will be tackling 184 kilometers and 2600 meters of climbing. It is a race that features some climbing, however the sprinters usually have their way. The opening 30 kilometers are flat, and lead to an 11 kilometer climb at 4.8%, however this early in the race it doesn’t usually play a role.

There will then be a combination of small climb, however they won’t be easy. With 90, 85 and 78 kilometers to go there are the summit of some small hilltops which can be used to push the pace, also quite possibly to anticipate the two main final climbs where the attacks are likely to come. The Mammolshain will be climbed three times, with 56 and 41 kilometers to go to the finish respectively. It is a climb that can do damage, as in split the peloton and/or see attacks off the front which can be dangerous and affect the outcome later in the race. It is 2.3 kilometers long at 7.7% but it does features some 500 meters at almost 14%, a grueling ramp which being in the base of the climb, can see big gaps form between those who will be comfortable and those who will struggle uphill.

From there on though there are still 41 kilometers to reorganize a chase and work towards a sprint. This is the regular scenario. Although the race can be somewhat selective, the dynamics usually tilt towards an organized chase between several teams who will not hesitate to work to bring in better chances for their leaders to fight for the win. As for the finale, it looks quite technical but it isn’t anything too hard. It won’t be a full peloton, and the most important will be the timing. The final straight is 500 meters long, but the speed won’t be too excessive, so gaining it won’t be too hard.

CyclingUpTodate prediction:

**** Jasper Philipsen, Alexander Kristoff

*** Giacomo Nizzolo, Phil Bauhaus, Biniam Girmay

** Arnaud de Lie, Fernando Gaviria, Hugo Hofstetter, John Degenkolb

* Sam Bennett, Simone Consonni, Danny van Poppel, Dan McLay, Andrea Vendrame

You will be able to keep up with the race here on CyclingUpToDate as we bring you the race report and interviews surrounding Eschborn-Frankfurt