Florian Lipowitz is the new German GC hope discussion thread

[Red Rick]

Roglic definitely is the wild card as he is the best support/mentor either rider could rely on for the Tour or Giro. He couldn't serve both and still be valuable if the rider he supports starts to go terminal in week 3 and he's the best, next choice. It seems doubtful all three would end up in the same, primary GT target for that reason but weirder things happen.
Remco's offseason will be more focused on an assigned goal than ever. And it won't start being the WCTT.

From what I've read about Roglic in relation to teammates, he seems to be a great mentor and leader outside of races, but you're not gonna get him on board easily with him having to domestique a target race. At the Tour he really wanted to do his own *** in the Alps, but then in San Sebastian he doesn't care about his own result and does the grunt work while he was probably stronger than Van Gils.

I expect 2026 to be his last year, and I don't expect he wants to be in a 3 way rivalry for team leadership.

 

[Charlyghoul]

Hopefully this talented young man will not be sandbagged by the arrival of Remco, and he can have a fair crack at the tour 26, he deserves it

 

[Oldman]

It depends, for Lipo and Remco i don't feel much changes, that is co leaders until one of them is not in contention any more, at Tour. For Rogla unfortunately this means that likely he won't get a chance to ride Tour 2026 as a (co) leader. I fear that even if Rogla would to climb ahead, by merit, the team would still push him back, at Tour.

Like others I get the vibe that 2026 will be Primoz's last year. I could see him doing the Giro/Vuelta double and the young kids can support him; one for each race. If Roglic does super well in the early season I could see that as the circumstance where he'd team up with the most likely Tour contender; Florian. He'd hopefully do the right thing and provide support if early stages suggest that's the best deal for the team.
Remco could attempt the same relationship in the Giro, for what that guess is worth.

 

[Remy55]

Lipo will become automatically stronger when he loses some muscles. He still has a muscular upper body from his biathlon past, but if he is able to cut some of them, than watch out.

 

[Vinther1991]

Red Bull would be crazy not to have Lipowitz as their ONLY leader for the next Tour. He has all the right GT qualities with room for even further improvements.
The greatest grand tour talent to arrive on the scene since Vingegaard.

 

[AmRacer]

Red Bull would be crazy not to have Lipowitz as their ONLY leader for the next Tour. He has all the right GT qualities with room for even further improvements.
The greatest grand tour talent to arrive on the scene since Vingegaard.

Onley, and Del Toro says hello.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

At the Tour he really wanted to do his own *** in the Alps

Yup, he was Lipo's biggest rival in the Alps. They will probably have to give him a leadership in another GT, not the Tour. Lipo + Remco at the Tour seems likely.

 

[Netserk]

Yea even if he won the tour the impact on cycling in germany and the general interest would be way lower than it was during the Ullrich era. Dont see such hype developing again round any kind of sports star any time soon in germany.

How much of that do you think was due to the recent unification?

 

[kingjr]

How much of that do you think was due to the recent unification?

A little, maybe, but not much.

 

[Oldman]

A little, maybe, but not much.

Germany rightfully would celebrate a great champion; especially as a sign that reunification from the international view had been successful.
Then the worst outcome chilled all of that enthusiasm. That's not exclusive to Germany; the US road racing scene is all but non-existent and USAC does little to promote. Thanks, Lancey. You did give the world the yellow bracelets.

 

[Links2003]

How much of that do you think was due to the recent unification?

I think there would be a huge response if Lipowitz won. Many media outlets have already reported that children are once again interested in cycling.
But today it's much harder to get attention. There are so many distractions. So many alternatives. In the days of Ullrich and Co, the internet wasn't as widespread. So everyone noticed when it was on TV and in the newspapers. Today it's different.
In addition, there are hardly any races left in Germany where you can be there in person. Back then, there were many excellent races. It is also challenging to participate in cycling yourself. Therefore, everything attracts less attention today. However, a Tour victory would change a lot.

 

[TrekCyclist]

Dont know where he will still be able to improve (explosiveness, pure W/kg, TT) and by how much.
Just what he has shown this summer in terms of consistency and recovery potential is just extraordinary - not only during TdF but basically since Dauphine (which was originally where he was peaking for).
So yes, he might be Bora's best shot for a TdF podium (or even more) next year. But if he prefers to try to win Giro - also fine.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Why wouldn't he be able to improve? Based on what are we now making such assumptions. It's not like he is 35 or something.

 

[TrekCyclist]

On the contrary - I think he will very likely improve.
But we dont now whether he will be able to hit or surpass Vingegaard numbers, for example.
(at least I don't know)

 

[Oldman]

On the contrary - I think he will very likely improve.
But we dont now whether he will be able to hit or surpass Vingegaard numbers, for example.
(at least I don't know)

He seems to actually like to race...not a numbers robot. That might be the difference for him.

 

[search]

ASO somehow convinced Bora to bring Lipo to the Deutschland Tour.

Press Releases 2025 | Deutschland Tour

www.deutschland-tour.com

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Good decision to send lipo. Gotta ride the momentum a bit. Let him sign autographs and drown a couple of red bulls at the start and finish.
Do a wva style attack on one or two of the stages will only add to the show.

 

[Faserr]

And he has nothing to prove at this bad route. He can chill a bit and go in one hopeless breakaway at stage 3.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

And he has nothing to prove at this bad route. He can chill a bit and go in one hopeless breakaway at stage 3.

At least his breakthrough should help with future routes. Both because there will be more places interested in hosting off the back of his success, and because ASO will have a greater incentive to draw up climbier routes.

 

[Mayomaniac]

I recently read and interview with his Biathlon coach at the skiing school in Stams. According to him he was the biggest talent he has ever worked with besides Denis Herrmann and Laura Dahlmeier (RIP). A late bloomer when it came to physical development, but apparently he broke all the internal records when they tested oxygen uptake and he still holds the prone shooting record in Stams (apparently he hit 292 out of 300 targets). His former classmates used to call him "the little German with the big feet".

 

[Earns1985]

Any news, why he didn´t finish both races in Canada? He just didn´t care or is his form that bad?
At least the Montreal race could have suited him on paper...

 

[Sciatic]

Any news, why he didn´t finish both races in Canada? He just didn´t care or is his form that bad?
At least the Montreal race could have suited him on paper...

I guess that's why he's not on the national team selection for the WCs?

 

[Earns1985]

I guess that's why he's not on the national team selection for the WCs?

That´s not the reason I think. In the first days after the tour, the team already communicated, that he will not ride the Worlds..

 

[Sciatic]

That´s not the reason I think. In the first days after the tour, the team already communicated, that he will not ride the Worlds..

Thanks.

 

[Faserr]

He said he wanted to be good again at the italian races. I don't think he did do anything specific for the canada races. He could have been better though. He was dropped with 40 - 50 guys remaining at the Montreal race. Perhaps he is going to altitude now.