Welcome once again to Germany for the next C1 June sprint classic - Frankfurt Eschborn. There was a change in the coverage of this race - kandesbunzler26 was originally scheduled to cover this race, but due to clashing commitments he wasn't able to do the reporting duties. Therefore, IESN gladly accepted his request for someone else taking over the coverage. Fortunately for us Laurens147 produced the preview show with Dylan Groenewegen being his pick for overall win. But what does the pre-race panel say?
The pre-race panel has a different oppinion as their top pick is Konychev from Assa Abloy. Similar chances are given to his teammate in Daniese, with Xero's Houle being given similar odds for the overall win. The preview top pick Groenewegen is not that far behind though, but who will win - we will find out after 218 km starting in Frankfurt.
Hello here from Frankfurt. Today's weather unfortunately isn't that great and the rain will provide an extra challenge. The weather report also indicates mist in some of the higher altitude points on the course
Saeco's Franco is the first rider today to launch an attack.
After him a group of 6 had formed - Seigle from McCormick, Jura's Bakke Christophersen, Gradek from Adidas, Ekoi's Delbove and the Glanbia duo of Ryan and McCambridge.
That group was caught by the peloton, but launched another attack and linked up with Franco
In-between that leading 7 and the peloton is Hilcona's Martinelli.
The breakaway is now over 5 minutes ahead with 170 km to go. Martinelli is riding alone as is circa 4 minutes ahead of the peloton.
And eventually the Italian is caught up - the gap behind the leading 7 is over 6 minutes
As the leading pack is starting to climb the highest point of the race, their gap is nearly 4,5 minutes
The leading pack has passed the summit with a gap hovering between the 4 and 4,5 minute mark. You could see that at the high altitudes is really misty
With nearly 75 km to go the gap is now slimed down to 3,5 minutes
And as the leaders approach the 50 km mark their gap is still above 3 minutes
It's now all downhill from here for the leading pack. McCambridge unfortunately was dropped.
As McCambridge is reeled back in the peloton, circa 30 km to go the break has over 2 minutes leaders. Even within the peloton itself gaps started to appear
20 minutes to go and the leading 6 is still around 2 minutes ahead - will we see a surprise?
Well, a group of five has decided to finally take action and the panel's favorite - Konychev, is one of them. And he took Yzeiraj from Stell-Vita, Lampre's Dzamastagic, Varga from Popo4Ever and Houle (another panel pick) from Xero with him.
We see here that the gap is evaporating
The Slovenian champion has decided now is the time to go solo - but will he hang on?
And as he reaches the final kilometer it appears that no one can stop him
And the win is his - what a masterclass ride!
Hugo Houle would be pleased to finish 2nd and Groenewegen rounds out the podium. Vessely and Maninen - two of the top sprinters, also finish in the Top 5. Panel favorite Konychev was close, but not close enough in 6th. Zabel, Abdul Halil, Lienhard and Liepens round out the Top 10.
Daniese would be rather disappointed finishing just shy of Top 10 finish in 11th. Kamberaj would be another rider who would've expected better in this race as well - he's 13th.
And in these trechearous condtions Mark Dzamastagic reigns supreme - what a win!
And that's it from us from this race. See you next time, bye.
Frankfurt Eschborn 
