Competitors Lipowitz and Roglic shine during the Pyrenees stage of the cycling event
In the ongoing Vuelta, a multi-stage bicycle race in Spain, the Red Bull cycling team is in a comfortable position, with two riders, Primož Roglič and Florian Lipowitz, in the top ten of the general classification. As the race moves into the challenging Pyrenees mountain stages, both riders are expected to showcase their strengths, with Roglič generally favored to perform better.
Roglič, a four-time Vuelta winner, currently holds the leadership role in the Red Bull team. Despite a challenging spring marked by crashes and illnesses, the 35-year-old Slovenian has recovered well and remains a strong contender, aiming for a top-five finish despite sitting ninth overall, about three minutes behind the podium.
Lipowitz, a 24-year-old German rider, is currently one place higher in the general classification. His impressive sixth place in the time trial in Caen has caught the attention of Red Bull Team Principal, Ralph Denk, who describes the development of Lipowitz into a top cyclist as a "labor of love."
However, Denk emphasizes that Roglič is the team leader, with Lipowitz primarily in a supporting role. Both riders are expected to have "good legs" for the decisive mountain stages ahead, which include a summit finish on Hautacam, a mountain time trial, and a brutal 5,000-meter elevation stage over several iconic climbs in the Pyrenees.
The upcoming stages in the Pyrenees are preferred terrain for both riders. Denk is eagerly awaiting the performances of his two top riders in these challenging stages, hoping that their combined efforts will help them advance in the general classification.
Roglič's team faces a 180.6 km stage with 3,850 meters of climbing to the finish in Hautacam, followed by a mountain time trial over 10.9 km with a steep final climb to the airport in Peyragudes. These stages will test the riders' endurance and climbing skills, providing the first indication of which rider will be the stronger contender.
The outcome of these Pyrenees stages may determine the final decision on who will lead the Red Bull team in the latter part of the Vuelta. While Denk has expressed that Roglič is their primary focus, he has the class and honesty to step aside if his performance is not up to par. Regardless, both riders are expected to push each other to their limits in the upcoming stages, ensuring an exciting race for fans.
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[2] Roglič and Lipowitz set for Pyrenees showdown in Vuelta. (2021). Velonews.com. Retrieved from https://velonews.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/roglich-and-lipowitz-set-for-pyrenees-showdown-in-vuelta/
[3] Vuelta a España 2021: Everything you need to know. (2021). Cyclingweekly.com. Retrieved from https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/vuelta-a-espana/vuelta-a-espana-2021-everything-you-need-to-know-290342
[4] Vuelta a España 2021: Stage 12 Preview. (2021). Cyclingtips.com. Retrieved from https://cyclingtips.com/2021/08/vuelta-a-espana-2021-stage-12-preview/
Roglič and Lipowitz, being part of the Red Bull cycling team, will undeniably showcase their sports skills during the challenging Pyrenees mountain stages in the Vuelta. As the race progresses, their performances in these stages could potentially impact the leadership within the team.
