Eschborn-Frankfurt

If sprinters want to keep winning at Eschborn-Frankfurt (formerly Rund um den Henninger Turm), they will have to work harder than ever.

It is the conclusion drawn from the revamped route of the first German WorldTour event of the year, which extends its course beyond 200 kilometres and features up to nine categorised climbs, with the race under pressure from the very start.

Notable highlights include the double ascent of the Grosser Feldberg — the second time is 7.6 kilometres at 6.5%, nothing to be taken lightly — and, above all, three passages over Mammolshain, the last two back-to-back at 49 and 35 kilometres from the finish. That is 2,300 metres at 8.3%, enough for a reduced group or a breakaway of brave riders to reach the final circuit loop at the front.