At the age of 25, Liane Lippert (Movistar) has reached the peak of her career for the time being. The classics specialist, who finished in the top 10 in almost all major one-day races this year and even came second in the Fleche Wallonne, also wants to be successful in tours and replace record-breaking Annemiek van Vleuten as leader of the team next year.
In the upcoming Tour de France Femmes, she will start as a noble helper for van Vleuten, but also has her own chance of a stage win in mind.
Liane Lippert about ...
... her role as the new figurehead of German women's cycling and the resulting increased interest in her person in the media, especially before and during the Tour de France Femmes:
"I see this as an advantage, it makes women's cycling better known and more popular in Germany. That's why I really enjoy doing all this. I can also really enjoy it."
... her preparation for the Tour de France Femmes:
"We had a look at all the stages on site at the end of May. The first ones are particularly interesting for me. After the Giro, I had a lot of rest days and plenty of time to recover because every day in Italy was demanding. I've felt good over the last few days, I've taken a good load. I feel ready. It's nice to be back with the team. Of course I'm also a bit nervous, but the anticipation outweighs that. At the end of the day, the Tour is just a normal bike race."
... her role as a noble helper in the Movistar team around title contender Annemiek van Vleuten:
"Of course, our biggest goal is to win with Annemiek and defend the title. However, the classification will primarily be decided on the stage to the Tourmalet and in the time trial. That's why I think we can perhaps play a few cards with Emma Norsgaard and myself on stages 1, 2 and 4. I don't know the exact plan, but I should have the chance to win a stage.
Liane Lippert: "Demi will of course be the toughest opponent"
... the biggest competitor Demi Vollering (SD Worx):
"Demi will of course be the toughest opponent. But we don't know what she's like. Annemiek is feeling good, as we saw at the Giro. I think it will be an exciting battle. In terms of team tactics, we'll try to keep the pace high with our climbers on the climbs so that the SD Worx riders can't all attack one after the other."
... about their title at the German Championships:
"It means a lot to me to have defended my title. That's what I wanted, it was my big goal to be at the start of the Tour in the champion's jersey. It's something very special because you're easily recognised. And now with Movistar, the jersey is also a bit more eye-catching than before with DSM."
... the differences between their premiere tour at DSM and the upcoming one:
"With Lorena Wiebes, we had the world's best sprinter at DSM. So it was always about chasing and we always had to take responsibility. Now with Annemiek it's different, we can hold back a bit. And apart from that it's a different culture, in a Spanish team it's more like a family. I feel very comfortable here."
Classics or tours?
... about the probable end of van Vleuten's career after the season:
"When she leaves, I'm sure I'll automatically slip into her role a little on the tours. But I think my focus will continue to be on the classics. With my second place at the Fleche Wallonne, I proved my strengths there once again. I don't want to lose my sprinting ability and my sprinting strength, so we have to see how we can find a good way with the team to combine both - classics and tours."
