Eschborn-Frankfurt returned to the same parcours that it used for the first time in 2024, with a second ascent of the longer Feldberg climb and a triple passage of Mammolshain. It was a steady start to the day with a duo out front but over the first ascent of Mammolshain and leading into the back-to-back Mammolshain and Feldberg ascents a strong pace was set.
Warren Barguil rode strongly to make the first split over the top, while fast finisher Tobias Lund Andresen crested in a chase group alongside Robbe Dhondt which was only roughly 30 seconds in arrears. However, despite Dhondt’s best attempt, other teams were unwilling to chase so the gap only extended. In the finale Barguil tried to use his experience and play it calm before the final sprint, where he produced a good turn of speed to finish tenth on the day.
Barguil expressed: “It was the first time for me to be there in Frankfurt. it was nice race, with a lot of people and a good crowd. For the race we had the plan to go for Tobi in the sprint if it would come back together but unfortunately he just dropped near the top of the long climb and his group didn’t make it back. After that it was on me to try and do my best in the sprint, but I missed a bit of confidence to go for it a bit earlier at the front. After my crash in Liège where I was disappointed and at the start of the week we weren’t sure if I would race here before the checks, I think I can say it was good try in the end.”