Two cyclists, Lipowitz and Roglic, showcased their strong performances in the Pyrenees mountain range stage of the competition.
In the ongoing 2025 Tour de France, Florian Lipowitz of the Red Bull team has been making waves, particularly in the mountain stages. His recent performances have shown a stronger climbing form compared to teammate and four-time Vuelta winner, Primož Roglič.
On Stage 12 to Hautacam, a key mountain stage, Lipowitz vaulted up to 4th place in the general classification. His impressive climb saw him drop riders like Onley and close the gap to Vingegaard, solidifying his position as a genuine GC contender even in the high mountains.
Roglič, despite his past achievements, has had a challenging season, with a DNF at the Giro d'Italia and uncertainty around his current form. This has left him somewhat behind the top Tour favourites such as Pogačar and Vingegaard. Despite leading Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and being their primary GC hope, the team is also supporting Lipowitz as a rising talent and back-up GC option.
Lipowitz's strong showing in the mountains and his third-place finish at the Critérium du Dauphiné earlier in the year have proven his climbing and stage racing credentials, making him a formidable contender. Meanwhile, Roglič is currently sitting ninth in the general classification, seven seconds behind Lipowitz.
Team manager Ralph Denk is eagerly awaiting the performances of his two top riders during the mountain stages of the Tour de France in the Pyrenees. He considers the development of Lipowitz into a top cyclist as his "heart project." The Red Bull team is in a comfortable position with two riders, Lipowitz and Roglič, in the top ten of the Tour de France.
As the Tour de France enters its challenging mountain stages in the Pyrenees, it remains to be seen whether Roglič or Lipowitz will perform better in the steep ascents. Both riders face a 180.6-kilometer stage with 3,850 meters of climbing to the finish in Hautacam today, followed by a short but challenging mountain time trial over 10.9 kilometers on Friday.
Despite Roglič's current position, Denk has maintained that he remains the team's leader. The team's more defensive strategy in the first eleven stages has paid off, with Roglič making it through southern France without a crash, which was the team's goal. Lipowitz, a young sensation on the Red Bull team, has impressed Denk with his consistent performances, particularly his sixth place in the time trial in Caen.
The competition between the two riders may become more evident during the grueling stages in the Pyrenees, as the first signs of how the race will unfold are starting to emerge. With both riders in strong form, the Red Bull team is well-positioned for success in the remaining mountain stages of the Tour de France.
- In light of his impressive climbing performances and consistent showings, Lipowitz is not only serving as a reliable backup for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe's primary GC hope, Primož Roglič, but also demonstrating a formidable presence in the Tour de France, potentially challenging Roglič's position as the team's leader.
- As they approach the mountain stages in the Pyrenees, the competition between Lipowitz and Roglič, both within the Red Bull team, promises to be a spectacle in the world of sports, with each rider keen to excel in their respective areas of strength and claim victory in the challenging terrain ahead.
