RaceGroup readies for Triumph in Tour de France, backed by Red Bull
Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Unveils Strategic Partnership Between Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel
Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, one of the top cycling teams in the world, has announced a strategic partnership between two of its star riders, Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel. The duo will combine their strengths, focusing on Grand Tours and Monuments, while supporting each other's ambitions.
Lipowitz, a rising talent, made waves in the cycling world with a podium finish (3rd overall) at the 2025 Tour de France, also claiming the best young rider’s white jersey in his Tour debut. This marked the best German result on the Tour podium since 2004. Evenepoel, a multi-world champion, Grand Tour winner, double Olympic champion, and multiple monument winner, joined the team in 2025 with high ambitions.
The strategic approach involves smart race scheduling to allow both leaders to pursue their own goals without direct conflict. Coach John Wakefield highlighted Lipowitz’s professionalism and readiness to support teammates when required, indicating that both riders will have chances to lead in different races or Grand Tours.
Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe aims to leverage Evenepoel’s presence to elevate the entire team’s performance and target winning a Grand Tour (Giro, Tour, or Vuelta) and Monument races in the coming season. The team’s management expects a division of the three key Grand Tours among Evenepoel, Roglič, and Lipowitz, ensuring that not all three will ride the Tour de France simultaneously, maximizing their success chances across the calendar.
Here's a brief overview of the roles and past achievements of the two riders:
| Rider | Past Achievements | Role/Strategy at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | |-----------------|-----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | Florian Lipowitz | 3rd overall and best young rider at 2025 TdF; 1st German podium finisher since 2004 | Emergent leader, professional supporter when needed, podium contender in Grand Tours | | Remco Evenepoel | Multi-world champion, Grand Tour winner, Olympic champion, multiple monument winner | Star leader targeting Monuments and Grand Tours, raising team level |
This partnership is designed to balance their individual ambitions, elevating team performance with a focus on major race victories and solid general classification results.
Meanwhile, Sven Vanthourenhout, the former Belgian national coach, leads Red Bull's U23 team in the 2023 Czech Tour. The Olympic Games in 2028 in Los Angeles is one of Pogacar's goals, but he has stated that he will not continue much longer in cycling after the games.
In other news, Soudal Quick Step will have a representative in Red Bull's team, specifically rider Mattia Cattaneo. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will only compete in two invitation races at the Diamond League, while Florian Lipowitz's victory in the Czech Tour was described as "life-changing results". Lipowitz liked the yellow jersey he won in the Czech Tour and kept it for the rest of the race. A masseur and a mechanic from Evenepoel's entourage will join Red Bull's team.
Remco Evenepoel is a force in time trials, and Florian Lipowitz has shown his strength in mountain stages during the current season. With the 2023 Czech Tour going up to Pustevny, these two riders are expected to shine. Evenepoel and Lipowitz may have to hurry to beat Pogacar at the Tour de France before his potential retirement.
Read also:
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty
- Proposed Standardization of Food Labeling Laws Among Member States by the Commission
