German champion Georg Zimmermann outsprints Tom Pidcock at Eschborn-Frankfurt
CyclingFriday, 01 May 2026 at 17:27
Georg Zimmermann has won Eschborn-Frankfurt. The German, racing in his national champion's jersey in front of a home crowd, was part of a 12-man lead group that held on to the finish. Zimmermann was the fastest in the sprint.
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The 63rd edition of Eschborn-Frankfurt was a hard one. The tougher course did its work. Riders covered 211.4 kilometres from Eschborn to Frankfurt am Main, with multiple ascents of the Feldberg, the Burgweg and the Mammolshain.
That final climb — 2.2 kilometres at an average of 7.8% — proved the key selector in the finale. Earlier in the race, a breakaway formed containing, among others, Jonas Rutsch, Tomas Kopecky, Thomas Gachignard, Samuel Leroux and Aivaras Mikutis.
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The group rode clear for a long time, but as the hilly terrain began to bite, the gap shrank quickly. Rutsch made himself conspicuous throughout, collecting enough mountain points to secure the KOM prize at this edition of the German WorldTour race.
Then the race cracked open. Tim Wellens and Emiel Verstrynge launched an attack and, with around 50 kilometres to go, built an advantage of almost a minute on the chasers. The pace behind them was fierce, with Uno-X and Bahrain Victorious among those working to hurt the sprinters.
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Pidcock and Tulett in sizeable lead group after the final climb
The peloton was already significantly reduced. Out front, Verstrynge was hit by cramp and fell away, leaving Wellens alone as he approached the final ascent of the Mammolshain. With just over 30 kilometres remaining, the situation shifted. Wellens was reeled in, and a new lead group formed.
Among them: Ben Tulett, Tom Pidcock, Alex Baudin, Pello Bilbao, and Germans Georg Zimmermann and Florian Stork — 12 riders in total. They crested the final climb with a lead of over 30 seconds. The key question now: would they sprint, or would the peloton come back?
With 20 kilometres to go, the group was cooperating well enough — but the gap was only half a minute. The local finishing circuit was technical, with twists and turns and the occasional kick, which worked in the lead group's favour. With ten kilometres left, the advantage was still 30 seconds.
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Peloton sprint or a winner from the break?
Uno-X, INEOS and Decathlon had no riders in the front group and pushed hard in the bunch. Entering the final 5-kilometre lap, the gap had fallen to just 20 seconds. There was no room for tactics now — the lead group had to keep working.
They did just enough. At the very moment Soudal Quick-Step seemed about to drag the peloton back, the sprint erupted in the winding streets of Frankfurt. All eyes were on Pidcock.
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The Briton found himself briefly boxed in, but fought his way out onto Zimmermann's wheel. The German was simply too big and too powerful. Pidcock had to settle for second. Tulett sprinted to third for Visma | Lease a Bike.
Results Eschborn-Frankfurt 2026
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Latest Comments
- Here is a novel idea......it's a road bike race, stick to smooth asphalt courses! Cobble is like mild off-road cross riding!!!!Germanrazor14-04-2026
- To lose a race like that on a mechanical problem in this day and age is unforgivable. Why aren't all riders using the same (interchangeable) gear? It is the job of the team manager to manage and reduce risk variables. The fact that he not only didn't pick up on the potential issue but actually ok'd it is just madness.fatehasfans13-04-2026
- Rider X, y and z? Could you update?yaNzKEWL21-03-2026
- Can anyone help me understand the thinking behind the two punishments? Are the commissaires saying you get thrown out of the race for a second inadvertent disposal of a bidon (even to the delight of fans) but that as long as you can afford it you can show off your phalangeal cuticles all day long on international TV? Aking for a friend.packfiller7112-03-2026
- It's a bit embarrassing that. Isn't the main sponsor supposed to keep them at 36.5 ?tomjacques03-03-2026
- They were close to cracking a very tired Tadej that wasn't fully focused on the TdF with a team of riders focused solely on cracking Tadej. And if they cracked him, he would have still won. Tadej won't be racing the giro this year. It'll be an even easier win for him.Veganpotter09-02-2026
- Nice!Bea22-01-2026
- Those events are mental rest for him. Fun, without expectations. *Sagan lost his abilities because he gained weight and got lazy. Pogi will likely retire before that has a chance at happening.Veganpotter14-12-2025
- Ah, the consequences of riding for Israel.Veganpotter11-12-2025
- Pidcock could follow everyone but Pogi while finishing 3rd. No second place rider this season😃Veganpotter16-11-2025
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