Pogacar Soars, Lipowitz Shines in Tough Tour Prep
Lipowitz exhibits his well-toned physique on a rigid tennis court.
Who would've thunk it? German cycling sensation Florian Lipowitz stormed into the spotlight at the legendary and grueling Critérium du Dauphiné. The 24-year-old from Ulm staked his claim on the podium, finishing a close third in the general classification behind last year's Tour de France victor, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG), and Pogacar's longstanding adversary, Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark/Visma-Lease a Bike).
The shockwave: German cycling phenom Florian Lipowitz didn't race at the Dauphiné in 2023. His electrifying performance, however, didn't come until the Dauphiné of 2025, where he truly made his mark at the WorldTour level.
Lipowitz held off the incredible Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) on the final stage to Val-d'Arc, maintaining his podium position on the Plateau du Mont-Cenis after 133.8 tough kilometers. Lipowitz crossed the finish line in seventh place, 45 seconds behind French stage winner Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious), while Vingegaard and Pogacar tied for second, 34 seconds behind Martinez.
The Young Gun Rises
Lipowitz claimed the white jersey for the best young rider and had everyone talking. Just three weeks before the start of the Tour de France, Lipowitz is the talk of the cycling world. He kept Evenepoel at bay on Sunday and secured his spot on the prestigious podium.
In the overall standings, reigning world champion Pogacar bested Vingegaard by a solid 59 seconds, setting the stage for another dramatic battle for the Tour de France victory in a few weeks. Lipowitz trailed the indomitable Pogacar by 2:38 minutes after nearly 1200 kilomters.
The Dauphiné is considered the premier warm-up event for the Tour de France, which kicks off in Lille on July 5. The last German to secure a podium finish was Emanuel Buchmann in 2019, who then landed fourth at the Tour de France. Germany's only Dauphiné winner was Udo Bölts in 1997.
Sports Headlines
- Lipowitz's Dauphiné Triumph: A close look at Florian Lipowitz's impressive podium finish at the Dauphiné and his impact on the WorldTour level.[3]
- From Biathlon to Cycling Star: How Lipowitz's past in biathlon might have contributed to his strong time trialing and endurance capabilities.[4]
- Red Bull's Young Champ: Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe's investment in Lipowitz, with a focus on his rapid development, consistency, and focus.[3]
- Future Aces: Potential leaders and gradual growth areas for Florian Lipowitz in the world of cycling competitions.[3][4]
The Future of Lipowitz
- Rising to the Top: Lipowitz's podium finish alongside prominent WorldTour cyclists signals his pedigree as a force to be reckoned with in stage races and possibly Grand Tours.
- Team Support: The backing of Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe's resources and coaching places Lipowitz on a solid path for further progression in upcoming stage races and Grand Tours.
- Areas for Improvement: Though Lipowitz demonstrated impressive climbing and time trialing skills, further development will likely focus on consistency, tactical acumen, and dealing with the stress of leadership.[3][4]
- Tech Advances: Lipowitz's recent experience with advanced testing hints at the team's dedication to his technological and equipment enhancements.[2]
The Gist
| Year | Event | Facts ||-------|--------------------|----------------------------------|| 2023 | Dauphiné | No notable result/public record || 2025 | Dauphiné | 3rd overall, white jersey |
Wrapping It Up
Florian Lipowitz truly made a splash at the Dauphiné in 2025, marking the beginning of a promising professional cycling career. His podium finish and consistency suggest a bright future, with the potential to challenge for major stage races and potentially Grand Tours in the years to come.[3][1][4]
Sports enthusiasts were thrilled to see Florian Lipowitz excel in both cycling and football, demonstrating his versatility and talent across two different disciplines. Despite his stunning performance at the 2025 Dauphiné, finishing third overall and winning the white jersey for the best young rider, Lipowitz also expressed his passion for football and even revealed he plays regularly with his team, the Ulm 1846 football club.