"Our ongoing endeavour to develop the race, which is also reflected in our newly acquired WorldTourstatus, imposes high demands on us. The experience of A.SO. and its employees will certainly benefit the event."
The German company owning the Eschborn-Frankfurt cycling classic (Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Radsports) has become a fully owned subsidiary under the umbrella of Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), which will rely on the existing organisational team for the delivery of the event.
Hermann and Erwin Moos launched Frankfurt's iconic race in 1962 as the Rund um den Henninger-Turm. Organisational reasons led the brothers to establish the Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Radsports mbh, which historically was and will remain the official organiser of the race traditionally held on 1 May.
Bernd Moos-Achenbach and his team have organised the classic for the last 15 years. "55 years after my father and uncle set up the event, Eschborn-Frankfurt has reached the top flight of world cycling", explains Bernd Moos-Achenbach. "I feel responsible for preparing the future of cycling in Frankfurt, Eschborn and the Rhine-Main area. I am therefore delighted that, after several years of very positive and cooperative exchanges, we will now get work together with A.S.O."
Bernd Moos-Achenbach and his team will continue to organise the 1 May cycling classic under the terms of the agreement. A.S.O. will help the Frankfurt team plan and organise the event, in addition to providing technical and sporting support.
"Our team has organised over 50 editions of the race at the highest level. Our ongoing endeavour to develop the race, which is also reflected in our newly acquired WorldTourstatus, imposes high demands on us. The experience of A.SO. and its employees will certainly benefit the event ", says Bernd Moos-Achenbach.
Bringing the Frankfurt classic under its umbrella is the next step in A.S.O.'s aspiration to play an active role in the long term development of German cycling. Eschborn-Frankfurt, the only event in the world with 17 races and side events held on the same day, was the obvious choice among German cycling races. A.S.O. reached its first milestone by organising the Grand Départ of this year's Tour de France in Düsseldorf and reviving the Deutschland Tour under the name Deutschland. Deine Tour. ('Germany. Your Tour.') starting in August 2018.
Apart from the sporting aspects and professional structure, the ethos of the Moos-Achenbach family was a key factor in A.S.O.'s decision.
"The Moos family has spent half a century promoting cycling. We share their aspiration to support German cycling in all its aspects. We have had a close relationship with the organising team and Bernd Moos-Achenbach for many years and we are impressed with their high standards for organisation. The dedication to quality and the enthusiasm from the spectators transpire through all of the events run on the event day, from the pro race all the way to the talent and amateur races.", says A.S.O. General Manager Yann Le Moënner.
In keeping with the motto "from world-class riders to first graders" and much to the delight of a million spectators, pro cyclists, under-23 riders, participants in the inclusive races and up to 5,000 amateur cyclists take part in the event every year. The race exhibitions in Eschborn and Frankfurt's Alte Oper, together with festivals in the Taunus and the famous and notorious Mammolshainer Berg, make the 1st May a celebration of cycling throughout the entire region.