Breaking the Peloton: Lipowitz Takes the Stage at Tour de France
Red Bull distributing substantial tour itinerary to rising talent Lipowitz
Crank up the tunes and grab a Red Bull, 'cause Florian Lipowitz, the exceptional German cyclist, is making his Tour de France debut! In the shadow of Primoz Roglic, Lipowitz will pick up some solid experience. And who knows? He might just be the strongest rider on his team.
Lipowitz's rapid ascent has put him squarely in the running against Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. Now, he gets to test his mettle against the superstars in cycling's most prestigious event. The 24-year-old sensation is coasting into the Tour de France's 112th edition, with the Grand Départ rolling out in Lille on July 5. But Lipowitz isn't expected to chase his own glory just yet.
The elite Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe team has recruited Lipowitz for this signature event. Transitioning from biathlon, Lipowitz will finally realize his dream of Tour de France participation at the Grand Départ. However, he won't be gunning for personal accolades just yet.
Could Lipowitz Be the Ace in the Hole?
Without Lipowitz, Roglic's podcast-worthy goal would be harder to attain. The German has been burning up the trails, keeping pace with the world's best in the mountains. He topped the Critérium du Dauphiné's Young Rider classification and finished third overall, trailing only Pogacar and Vingegaard.
According to the team, Lipowitz is using his first Tour to "gather more Grand Tour experience alongside Roglic." With the team leadership's blessing, Lipowitz could potentially be the team's secret weapon. The long-term plan is to mold him into a top-tier cyclist. His Tour debut is a crucial stepping stone.
"Confident Expectations for Myself"
There's no question about Lipowitz's role in the 2025 Tour—he's already got expectations for himself. In a Sportschau interview, Lipowitz expressed his ambition to "ride at the front in the mountains and maybe take on a key role for Primoz." With his seventh-place finish in the 2024 Vuelta's overall standings, and a strong showing at Paris-Nizza this season, Lipowitz has proved he's up for the challenge.
Lipowitz is part of a triple-threat of newcomers at Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, including New Zealander Laurence Pithie and Dutchman Mick van Dijke. The team is rounded out by seasoned riders Jordi Meeus, Gianni Moscon, Danny van Poppel, and Alexander Wlassow. "Our team's power will be crucial in the early stages—five riders will ensure our climbers reach the Pyrenees in top form," said team director Rolf Aldag. "Individual skill will matter more in the high mountains. We're well-prepared for this Tour, with stages having been ridden and analyzed."
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
- Tour de France
- Cycling
- Primoz Roglic
Lipowitz's inclusion in the Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe team during the Tour de France could prove to be a crucial move, potentially making him the team's secret weapon in supporting Primoz Roglic's bid for success. Additionally, with his impressive previous performances in cycling events like the Critérium du Dauphiné and Paris-Nizza, Lipowitz demonstrates a strong potential to excel in sports.
