Andrea Helmuth

ŠKODA Velotour E-Race Frankfurt 2020

An Alternative Competition in Times of COVID-19

May 1st is for cycling – a Frankfurt tradition since 1962!

Since my early childhood, I always associate the international day of labor with cycling race around the Henninger Turm, the tower of a local beer brewery. Today the race is called “Eschborn – Frankfurt” and it attracts thousands of cyclists, amateurs and professionals alike. It is Germany’s oldest international cycling race and only one year older than me.

Back in its early years, my father, passionate amateur racer and cycling enthusiast, would not miss racing on May 1st by any chance. Obviously, I was put on my own racing bike at an early age and together – not always to my delight – we conquered the Hessian mountains together.

Today, for the first time in its history, the race took place virtually with thousands of racers from home. All of them spending the last hours riding their bikes on their trainers at home, watching our local TV channel which was broadcasting memorable footage of the previous races. Complemented with the film material of the original route and the Frankfurt Skyline brought the true classic cycling atmosphere into a virtual simulation and into our homes.

Needless to say, I was racing today, too. It was raining in Frankfurt today, but I got wet in my pain cave, too. It was exhausting and fun, and a great way to create yet another exceptional 2020 memory. Thank you to everyone Hessischer Rundfunk who made this race (virtually) possible.
#radklassikerdaheim #radklassiker #eschbornfrankfurt

Ancient souveniers…