Teams & Riders The Red Bull - Bora - Hansgrohe team thread

[Rackham]

The team will also no doubt take into account that Roglic had a terrible prep for this Tour. Almost all the Giro, including multiple crashes and an illness; that is not a good way to come in. Remco clearly came in off form as well. So, yes, Lipowitz has done great, but he’s 12 minutes back. Remco was 9 last year. Lipowitz AFAIK is not putting up peak Roglic numbers. On the flip side, he is still developing. So give them all their chance; don’t make anyone a donkey.

I also have the hunch Rog is riding around with really good numbers right now but due to race scenarios he hasn't been able to show his improved form much.

It's not just his climbing either, it's how well and easily he coped with today's stage for example (easily rolled along with the Pog group in the rain, avoiding splits on the early climbs or any issues, i.e. week 1 Rog would have dropped today, for sure).

 

[Valv.Piti]

Giro: Pelizzari and Roglic - Roglic leader on paper, Pelizzari in Lipo role
Tour: Remco, Lipo and Hindley - Remco and Lipo dual leadership
Vuelta: Depends, but definitely Roglic and the rest just send it man

You could also go heavy 1 week schedule into Vuelta only for Roglic and go Giro + Tour with Hindley. Now that I think about it, I think that makes more sense.

 

[kingjr]

So far Lipowitz seems more consistent at his level during GTs. This is small sample size but anyways. For one or the other reason remco has a tendency to collapse. Now u say this is due to bad luck, like broken rib, sickness, crash during the winter or the race itself. "This doesn't happen to the very best GT riders on a consistent basis tho."

I would say Lipowitz and Remco are pretty equal in their chances to win a GT, Lipowitz might be more consistent and Remco slightly better mostly due to his TT, when really all goes right, just that at doesn't usually.

That being said I could imagine Lipowitz becoming one of the very best TT riders in the future.

You're right, it is a small sample size. No reason to handwave it. I didn't see any collapse from Remco last year in the Tour; in fact, he was closer to the top 2 in the final GC than Lipowitz is this year.

"This doesn't happen to the very best GT riders on a consistent basis tho." <-- this is an absurd kind of backward logic. Are you saying bad luck, crashes, and sickness are like a sign from heaven that you're not supposed to be a GT rider? Are we at that level of discourse?

Again, people say Remco has practically no hope of ever winning the Tour. If that is true, then it is even more true for Lipowitz. Plus, Remco is much more likely to at least get a stage win. He got one even this year.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Well, we'll see on what actually happens but it does look like RBH Tour 2026 team will be packing.

 

[Pippo_San]

Well a top 3 and a top 10 in the TdF. Who would've guessed.
That's quite a decent showing after all the tactical mishaps done.
If they raced with more acumen they could've probably got away with more. But I guess they can come home quite satisfied.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

This article is kind of a hit job on Roglic, but these quotes are interesting (and don’t reinforce the headline):

Expanding on the tactics of his team’s co-leaders in the past two stages, Gasparotto defended Roglič’s wishes to chase stage glory, and admitted that Lipowitz had been naive by attacking in the valley before the climb to Col de la Loze on stage 18.

“Lipowitz is a super young rider, super motivated, as you could also see in the first part of the Tour de France when a couple of times he moved based on instinct and emotions,” Gasparotto continued. “That’s also what happened yesterday and he paid the price big time.

“I reviewed all of yesterday’s stage 100 times last night. I still do think that normally I plan tactics quite well but yesterday was a good f**k up. We cannot say it wasn’t because we lost a lot in the last three kilometres. But at the top of the Madeleine we had 2:30 on Onley and Lipowitz was 35 seconds behind Primož who was in the first group.

“At the end of this descent, they slowed down. If they didn’t slow down, and Primož went with the yellow jersey to the finish, maybe he finishes third on the podium and Lipo gets back with Onley, stays on his wheel, finishes fourth [on GC] and with the white jersey. But it didn’t happen because they completely stopped.

“What surprised us was the attack of Lipo which was never planned, but what happened after the attack of Lipo? In 30 seconds he got two minutes on the yellow jersey and 4:30 to Onley, five minutes to Onley. At one point we were three minutes to yellow and five to Onley. What do you do? You cannot stop him and that’s why it was like it was.”

The pre-race meetings ahead of stage 19 were all about controlling Lipowitz, not Roglič. “Obviously that was all in the discussion this morning, trying to explain to him [Lipowitz] what happens in Grand Tours in the third week and so on and so forth, and today I think he learned a lesson and I am happy about that,” Gasparotto continued.

“I think the faster the young kids learn, the better they are, and the earlier they get success, and Lipo deserves that because he’s such a strong rider that there’s no doubt about it.“

'We've had Primož Roglič under control' - Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe set for Tour de France podium despite questionable tactics

The four-time Vuelta a España victor went all in for a Tour stage win, but in doing so risked his young teammate's spot on the podium

www.cyclingweekly.com

 

[Links2003]

I'm really curious about the team next year. If Remco really joins and Roglic stays, then things will get very exciting. It will also be interesting to see who leaves the team. Now that Wandahl is also staying, many of my predictions have definitely turned out wrong.

If it's managed well, it could become a fantastic team. Remco might feel less pressure at the Tour with Lipo by his side, which could allow him to shine in other races.

What worries me, though: according to rumors, Remco is bringing a bunch of people with him—sports director, support staff, riders... Eurosport even reported that Aldag and Gasparotto might be out. That would turn the team upside down and cause a lot of unrest. Especially since Gasparotto has been the number one sports director so far. He was in the car during the Giro victory and now again with third place at the Tour. On the other hand, it might actually be good for Remco to embrace something new.

 

[scribers]

If love to see three prong bora leaders vs Vingo vs uae top lieutenants with pogi taking a year away from the tour

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Remco, Roglic, and Lipo in the same GT would be hilarious. Like UAE without Pogi or Movistar with Quintana, Landa, and Valverde. Or Astana with Lance and Contador. Agree - Pogi’s presence lowers the stakes and reduces the fun. Send them all to the Giro!

 

[CyclistAbi]

This article is kind of a hit job on Roglic, but these quotes are interesting (and don’t reinforce the headline):

'We've had Primož Roglič under control' - Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe set for Tour de France podium despite questionable tactics

The four-time Vuelta a España victor went all in for a Tour stage win, but in doing so risked his young teammate's spot on the podium

www.cyclingweekly.com

In retrospective indeed, it didn't pan out, said that and being there and in that position it indeed was the right thing to do, to try. Haven't there be Jonas with his wild goose chase, it would have worked. The day after basically the same thing, it would work if UAE would ease off, maybe Rogla even expected that to some extent. But OK.

 

[CyclistAbi]

As for Rogla, Remco, Lipo ... to ride Tour 2026 as a team, this is ATM a wild fantasy. Lets cross that bridge if we ever get to there. For now season 2025 is of most importance and season 2026 is an unknown.

 

[AmRacer]

As for Rogla, Remco, Lipo ... to ride Tour 2026 as a team, this is ATM a wild fantasy. Lets cross that bridge if we ever get to there. For now season 2025 is of most importance and season 2026 is an unknown.

We'll see.

 

[Red Rick]

It's beyond clear the agreement was before the Tour that both were allowed to do their own race, and it simply seems the team kept that promise. They worked together when it was in both their interests as well, but that doesn't get a mention ofcourse.

 

[Salvarani]

I'm really curious about the team next year. If Remco really joins and Roglic stays, then things will get very exciting. It will also be interesting to see who leaves the team. Now that Wandahl is also staying, many of my predictions have definitely turned out wrong.

If it's managed well, it could become a fantastic team. Remco might feel less pressure at the Tour with Lipo by his side, which could allow him to shine in other races.

What worries me, though: according to rumors, Remco is bringing a bunch of people with him—sports director, support staff, riders... Eurosport even reported that Aldag and Gasparotto might be out. That would turn the team upside down and cause a lot of unrest. Especially since Gasparotto has been the number one sports director so far. He was in the car during the Giro victory and now again with third place at the Tour. On the other hand, it might actually be good for Remco to embrace something new.

If true, it will disrupt quite a few things they have going on at the moment.

Was not aware that Remco would be bringing so many people with him either. Would feel a bit like the Remco show is coming to town, so to speak.

Hmm.

Lets see how things goes.

 

[movingtarget]

Hindley needs to get back on track. He had a top 10 in the Tour after hurting his back and getting sick. His first Tour attempt, and that was after he won a Giro that wasn't loaded with talent, but a good win all the same. I thought Hindley would have moved teams by now but it seems he likes it at Bora . Be surprised if Roglic didn't retire. Maybe one more season but he should forget theTour. Bora needs to go with the younger riders now in grand tours. A Remco arrival will change the equation obviously. Maybe Hindley doesn't care anymore about leading a team after his two podiums. He might get a shot at the Vuelta if Remco shows up or he continues in a mountain domestique role.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe and Rolf Aldag realign their sporting direction

Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe and Rolf Aldag have mutually agreed to end their collaboration at the end of this month following a successful Tour de France.

www.redbullborahansgrohe.com

It is in fact the most bureaucratic way of saying 'we've kicked this guy to the curb' I think I've ever seen.

A re-alignment of sporting direction!

Telekom need a new mid-90s guy to maintain continuity, I suggest Udo Bölts, who as far as I know hasn't been seen since his stint at Gerolsteiner.

 

[peterfin]

Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe and Rolf Aldag realign their sporting direction

Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe and Rolf Aldag have mutually agreed to end their collaboration at the end of this month following a successful Tour de France.

www.redbullborahansgrohe.com

It is in fact the most bureaucratic way of saying 'we've kicked this guy to the curb' I think I've ever seen.

A re-alignment of sporting direction!

Telekom need a new mid-90s guy to maintain continuity, I suggest Udo Bölts, who as far as I know hasn't been seen since his stint at Gerolsteiner.

This was expected with Sven Vanthourenhout taking his position.

 

[Peter von]

Hindley needs to get back on track. He had a top 10 in the Tour after hurting his back and getting sick. His first Tour attempt, and that was after he won a Giro that wasn't loaded with talent, but a good win all the same. I thought Hindley would have moved teams by now but it seems he likes it at Bora . Be surprised if Roglic didn't retire. Maybe one more season but he should forget theTour. Bora needs to go with the younger riders now in grand tours. A Remco arrival will change the equation obviously. Maybe Hindley doesn't care anymore about leading a team after his two podiums. He might get a shot at the Vuelta if Remco shows up or he continues in a mountain domestique role.

Hindley is an interesting one. Has one more season on contract according to PCS. He could be a brilliant dom and honestly there are decent chances to go stage hunting if you are a dom for a non-Pogi Tour captain.
And maybe Jai can be their GC man in Giro and/or Vuelta.

I reckon Red Bull will target the tour with dual leaders Remco and Lipo next year, give them a couple of good climbers and some strong men to protect on the flatter stages. the strategy will be to follow Pogi and Jonas until it hurts too much anyway.
Then Rogla might target La Vuelta either by doing week longs or giro+ Vuelta.

The rest of this season has to be all about Vuelta for Jai. looks like it might be a Bora doms battle royale where Vlasov, Pellizari and Hindley can stake their claim on some leadership roles for next season. idk, maybe Rogla shows up again, but i think he might be tired.

 

[MLKarlos]

Well, kind of sad to see him go, but to be honest...also in thi TdF some tactical decisions were just head scratching. I feel like the Team did not really improve in that area in the last two years so maybe Red Bull came to the same conclusion.
Still, like I said, somehow sad to see him go.

Curious who will take over his position. I havent read that Sven vanthourenhout will be the head of

 

[peterfin]

Well, kind of sad to see him go, but to be honest...also in thi TdF some tactical decisions were just head scratching. I feel like the Team did not really improve in that area in the last two years so maybe Red Bull came to the same conclusion.
Still, like I said, somehow sad to see him go.

Curious who will take over his position. I havent read that Sven vanthourenhout will be the head of

According to the Belgian press it will be Sven Vanthourenhout.

 

[Links2003]

This was expected with Sven Vanthourenhout taking his position.

People have heard the rumors over the past few days, yet I'm still surprised. And the separation is essentially happening immediately.
Of course, not everything was perfect. But there were major successes. And in the races, he usually wasn’t even directly responsible.
A change can certainly bring a lot. But if Remco and his close circle join the team, things could seriously backfire. There are already several leaders in the team. There are surely some close bonds within the team. And now to change everything and tailor it to Remco could genuinely become a major issue.
I’m very curious. People have spoken very positively about Rolf Aldag and his recent teams, including the women’s team. It was also good publicity for RBH that he was regularly featured on Eurosport during the Giro. Let’s see where he ends up.

 

[Filippo_3467]

Logical decision. After a very good start of his engagement in 2022 and 2023 the last two years weren't that great. The Vuelta win by Primoz and the 3rd place by Lipowitz are sugarcoating a bit that a lot of the team got worse after the Red Bull money came in and the recruitment this year was really bad. They have to try a new direction.

 

[peterfin]

People have heard the rumors over the past few days, yet I'm still surprised. And the separation is essentially happening immediately.
Of course, not everything was perfect. But there were major successes. And in the races, he usually wasn’t even directly responsible.
A change can certainly bring a lot. But if Remco and his close circle join the team, things could seriously backfire. There are already several leaders in the team. There are surely some close bonds within the team. And now to change everything and tailor it to Remco could genuinely become a major issue.
I’m very curious. People have spoken very positively about Rolf Aldag and his recent teams, including the women’s team. It was also good publicity for RBH that he was regularly featured on Eurosport during the Giro. Let’s see where he ends up.

You need to see Sven Vanthourenhout separate from Remco. He was signed earlier. He has his own accomplishments. Obviously guiding Remco to 5 gold medals helps to integrate Remco in the team and may be a strategic move to ease the deal. In the end there will be a small group around Remco joining RBH so not all will change.

 

[Red Rick]

Any chance this would just be one of the demands of the Evenepoel camp to join and Redbull bent over looking the shiny new toy?

 

[Karl Merckx]

Any chance this would just be one of the demands of the Evenepoel camp to join and Redbull bent over looking the shiny new toy?

I don't think so.