Felix Schröder and David Langenbein, dpa
In the slipstream of the superstar, Florian Lipowitz is quietly plotting his next coup at the Tour de France. At least, that’s the plan. And the German cycling rising star wants to avoid causing any unrest surrounding the unlikely leadership duo he forms, alongside the Belgian double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel, at the German Red Bull team.
“It’s actually good for me to take a bit of a step back from the limelight and just get on with my own thing, just like last year,” the 25-year-old told the German Press Agency ahead of the start of the 113th edition of the world’s biggest cycling event.
Lipowitz: Benefiting from one another
Last year, Lipowitz sensationally finished third in the Tour, whilst his new team-mate Evenepoel – who was still with the rival team at the time – ran out of steam in the Pyrenees and pulled out during the 14th stage. The two couldn’t be more different: Lipowitz, the reserved former biathlete; Evenepoel, more of a go-getter and outspoken.
Will they get on? Or is conflict inevitable? “I think we complement each other quite well and that we can both benefit from each other,” said Lipowitz. Starting out as a dual leadership team takes a lot of the pressure off.
The two of them haven’t competed in many races together during pre-season so far. “To be honest, we haven’t been in touch that much. Sure, we did a high-altitude training camp together, but I was out for a few days due to illness. That’s why we didn’t actually spend that much time together in the end.”
They rode together in the Tour of Catalonia. Evenepoel helped Lipowitz secure third place. “That was never in doubt. Of course I’ll take a back seat if Florian is stronger,” Evenepoel insisted.
The relationship between the two top riders is generating a great deal of interest ahead of the start of the Tour. Most recently, their team even dedicated a lengthy article on its website to this very topic. The article states that, despite their differences, the two work well together.
What does the boss think? Red Bull team principal Ralph Denk recently assured the media that the team management had discussed the plans very openly with both of them. “I’m convinced that this is working very well and that there isn’t really much that needs adjusting. Remco is still very much the frontman and Florian is a bit of a wingman,” said the 54-year-old.
Evenepoel is also expected to attract media attention – taking the spotlight away from the rather publicity-shy Lipowitz. His debut Tour brought him an unusual amount of personal attention. “This year was special because I had a bit of a slump after the Tour. I wasn’t feeling quite myself, mainly because all the fuss was a bit too much for me as well,” he said.
Lipowitz celebrates in Slovenia
Lipowitz’s aim from then on: not to put too much pressure on himself. The spring went brilliantly for the Laichingen-born rising star: third in the Tour of Catalonia, and second in both the Tour of the Basque Country and the Tour de Romandie.
Catalonia had shown him that his self-confidence and form were back. Most recently, the professional cyclist, who lives in Tyrol, completed a two-week high-altitude training camp. And he celebrated his overall victory in the Tour of Slovenia, although the field was not particularly strong. The team deliberately sent him to Slovenia so that he could prepare for the Tour in peace, away from the media spotlight and with a good chance of victory.
"The podium race is going to be really tough this year"
His main rivals were all absent. As well as top stars Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, Lipowitz now faces direct competition from the French prodigy Paul Seixas.
“The podium is going to be incredibly tough this year,” said Lipowitz. “Jonas and Pogacar are definitely still on another level.” When he went head-to-head with the pair in the preparatory races, he realised that both were still one or two steps ahead. Nevertheless, Lipowitz showed at the Tour de Romandie that he can hold his own. He attacked Pogacar and later finished just 42 seconds behind the exceptional Slovenian rider, who is aiming for his fifth Tour victory.
Unlike Pogacar, Lipowitz isn’t yet constantly recognised in public. And he likes that. “When you’re on your bike, there’s no getting round the fact that you’re recognised every now and then,” he said. But “I can still walk through town without being recognised much, which I really enjoy,” he said with a smile.
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