Before the start of the Giro d'Italia, here is the Eschborn-Frankfurt , category 5 World Tour race scheduled for May 1st. One of the most difficult races to predict, especially after the change of route which allows for attacks from afar, without however completely eliminating the most resistant sprinters. The race will cover a distance of 203.8 km with the Feldberg climb to be repeated twice and the Mammolshain climb to be climbed on three occasions, with the last passage 36 km from the finish line. Climbs not impossible but in which good action could arise like in 2023, when Soren Kragh Andersen won.

Let's try to draw up a starting grid of the favourites. On the front row we include Marc Hirschi of UAE Emirates, fourth in 2023, and Thibau Nys of Lidl Trek, recent winner of a challenging stage at Romandie. In the second row we still point out Soren Kragh Andersen of Alpecin and Maxim Van Gils of Lotto who, however, will need to run a hard race to have any chance of success. In the third row is Alex Aranburu of Movistar together with Soren Waerenskjold of Uno Curiosity for UAE Emirates which in addition to Hirschi will also have the eternal placed Nils Politt and the young Jan Christen. Little chance for pure sprinters like Caleb Ewan, Sam Bennett or the very young Paul Magnier of Soudal Quick Step.

But never say never, especially in Frankfurt. And do you have any other names to point out?

Start list being updated

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