Bahrain Victorious line up for Eschborn–Frankfurt on 1 May with a group suited to a race that has become more selective over the years.

The race covers 211 kilometres with over 3,300 metres of climbing, making it one of the more demanding editions in recent years. After starting in Eschborn, the route heads into the Taunus region, where repeated climbs shape the race before heading to Frankfurt for the finish.

The Feldberg, tackled twice from its steeper side, is a key point of the day, followed later by the Mammolshain, which often proves decisive in the final selection. A new addition to the route, the steep Burgweg climb, adds further difficulty and increases the chances of a reduced group going into the final kilometres.

While it has often ended in a sprint in the past, the tougher profile now makes a more selective outcome likely, depending on how the race develops over the climbs.

For Pello Bilbao, this will be his first appearance at Eschborn–Frankfurt, in what is also his final season as a professional.

Aart Vierhouten, Sports Director:

“It’s the last race of this block after the Ardennes, and it’s a demanding one. The course is harder again this year.

We have a strong group for this kind of race, and the key will be to be in the right moves as things start to open up. With the run-in after the last climb, positioning will be important heading into the final.”

The team will be led by Bilbao, with Edoardo Zambanini and Pau Miquel as options if it comes down to a reduced sprint. In the climbs, Afonso Eulálio and Rainer Kepplinger will look to help make the race harder, while Mathijs Paasschens and Jakob Omrzel provide support across different parts of the race.

Pello Bilbao:

“In my final season, and having raced most of the WorldTour calendar over the years, this is one of the races I was still missing, so it’s something special to be here for the first time.

It’s a race that suits me well, especially with the way the course has evolved over the years. We have riders who can make it selective, and at the same time we still have the speed to be competitive if it comes down to a smaller group.

It’s the last race of this block before a short break ahead of the Tour. The condition is good, motivation is high, and we’re coming here ready to fight for a strong result.”