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

[YavorD]

I don't think he's even doing the tour next year thanks to Gouvenou

More like classics, giro, vuelta, WC

The Tour has similar amount of flat ITT as in 2024 and 2025.
And frankly, if Vingegaard doesn't improve improve in the mountains, even 100km of TT won't give him a chance, and we probably won't get that (unless he becomes french).
So I don't think he is bothered by Gouvenou

 

[Tim Cahill]

Evenepoel at San Remco with 0 GTs in the legs against a 40 year old Pello Bilbao and a dumbfounded Jan Cristen is going to hit like crack.

 

[red_flanders]

I don't think he's even doing the tour next year thanks to Gouvenou

More like classics, giro, vuelta, WC

I'd be genuinely surprised if he didn't do the Tour.

 

[Links2003]

I would do:


Giro:
Lipo
Hindley
Pellizzari

Tour:
Remco
Lipo
Hindley
Vlasov

Vuelta:
Roglic
Martinez
Pellizzari
Vlasov

--> Remco: Tour, Spring Classics, Falls Races

--> Lipo: Giro and Tour

--> Roglic: Tour de Swiss, Vuelta

I find that an interesting prediction.
Remco will certainly have to ride for victory a lot in the spring, so I think the Tour fits better into the program. Even though I believe that the Tour route is not ideal for him and that he looks much better for Lipowitz. On the other hand, I don't think Lipo will go to the Giro and the Tour. There's a lot to be said for the Tour. If he does go to the Giro because he really wants to go for the win, then it'll be more likely to be the Vuelta. After coming third, the pressure at the Tour as the second GT straight after the Giro would be too high, and I can't imagine him going purely as a support rider for Remco.
Provided he gets back into shape, Martinez will probably also ride the Giro or the Tour as a support rider.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Evenepoel at San Remco with 0 GTs in the legs against a 40 year old Pello Bilbao and a dumbfounded Jan Cristen is going to hit like crack.

He does his best watts when angry and fresh, the van gils schedule is what's optimal for him!

 

[YavorD]

Evenepoel at San Remco with 0 GTs in the legs against a 40 year old Pello Bilbao and a dumbfounded Jan Cristen is going to hit like crack.

I honestly thought you are Ilmaestro and misspelled San Remo..

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Remco should not do two GTs IMO. Pick one and go all in. MSR, Ardennes, LBL, RVV, Tour I think. Plus try to get a win in a weeklong stage race. I’d skip the Giro if the profile is as climby as rumored and Vingegaard is going. Better to get prestigious classics wins and battle for second/third in the Tour than second in Giro and a Tour collapse.

 

[Oldman]

Remco should not do two GTs IMO. Pick one and go all in. MSR, Ardennes, LBL, RVV, Tour I think. Plus try to get a win in a weeklong stage race. I’d skip the Giro if the profile is as climby as rumored and Vingegaard is going. Better to get prestigious classics wins and battle for second/third in the Tour than second in Giro and a Tour collapse.

The early season 1 week stage races have shown Remco to be unprepared for varied terrain; particularly hills. IMO his training focus was likely long one-day classics and recovery from stage racing took a back seat. If he wants to be fully prepared for any GT as a principal player he needs to follow through with appropriate training changes.
He's on the right team to do that but it will compromise some of his early season favorites. This might be the year he makes that choice to dedicate to a single 3 weeker, as you suggest. Realistically he'll still be another year from being prime for that same program and, possibly a 2nd GT as a prep race preceding a main GT goal. He'll also be getting further away from his current strengths if he can live with it. He's not built to do both at this point.
As a fan I'd have mixed emotions about his dedication and immediate success. The press would be hard on him if he hits a 2 year stretch of average results trying to be that GT guy. Meanwhile a cadre of younger guys are starting to test everyone and changing the shape of the upper echelon.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Here's what I would do. I think the main goals should be to podium the Tour and the Giro (this is assuming Vingegaard does the Giro), and then you absolutely have to win the Vuelta, there can be no question about that.

I totally agree with VayaVayaVaya's schedule for Remco: MSR, E3, Flanders, Ardennes, Tour and then focus on Worlds.

Lipowitz should do Giro and Vuelta. This is his big opportunity to not so the Tour. Remco is now the posterboy of the team so let him fight for 3rd place in the Tour, while Lipowitz fights for 2nd place in the Giro and, most importantly, aims for the win in the Vuelta. And who knows, if Vingegaard has an issue, the Giro win might be within reach as well.

Roglic I think should only do one GT: The Vuelta obviously. Make that and Suisse his main goals and fill up the spring with one week races. Make 2026 a tribute to what made and defined his career.

I think this is a good season to explore the reach of Pellizzari and work on his weak points, and then I think it's a great opportunity to have him do the Tour as a domestique for Remco with no pressure on him. Have him target the Giro, and then target the Italian fall classics. Strade Branche could also be a goal for him.

Hindley should do the Tour and then probably the Vuelta to go along with it. Now, he's not really a good backup for Remco if things go wrong with him (which is why I understand why Bora wants both of Remco and Lipowitz at the Tour. Another option would be to have Lipowitz do the Tour and Vuelta), but he can challenge for stages and, if everything goes right, a top 5.

Vlasov and Martinez? Who knows. Fit them in somewhere if they have any sort of form.

An alternative could be:

Giro: Hindley, Pellizzari
Tour: Lipowitz, Remco, Hindley
Vuelta: Roglic, Lipowitz

What I think is likely to happen:

Giro: Roglic, Pellizzari
Tour: Remco, Lipowitz, Hindley
Vuelta: Roglic, Pellizzari, Hindley

But I think they'll fail to achieve the goal of winning the Vuelta if they do that.

 

[houtdffan]

Remco should not do two GTs IMO. Pick one and go all in. MSR, Ardennes, LBL, RVV, Tour I think. Plus try to get a win in a weeklong stage race. I’d skip the Giro if the profile is as climby as rumored and Vingegaard is going. Better to get prestigious classics wins and battle for second/third in the Tour than second in Giro and a Tour collapse.

Except Remco has done 2GT before and the plans were for 2 GT the past 2 years, derailed by injury.

The most likely scenario next year is Remco giro/vuelta thanks to Gouvenou's ITT allergy.

We can also stop this mile high pile of horse manure of Lipowitz being the leader. When he wins half as much as Remco does, he can ask for leadership. Until then, if he does a GT with Remco, he's on donkey duty

 

[AmRacer]

Except Remco has done 2GT before and the plans were for 2 GT the past 2 years, derailed by injury.

The most likely scenario next year is Remco giro/vuelta thanks to Gouvenou's ITT allergy.

We can also stop this mile high pile of horse manure of Lipowitz being the leader. When he wins half as much as Remco does, he can ask for leadership. Until then, if he does a GT with Remco, he's on donkey duty

One day races and ITT's don't count when you aiming for GT leadership. One-weeks and GT result do. Remco ahead but both finished 3rd at the Tour so...

 

[assisting]

We can also stop this mile high pile of horse manure of Lipowitz being the leader. When he wins half as much as Remco does, he can ask for leadership. Until then, if he does a GT with Remco, he's on donkey duty

Lipowitz himself is modest and does not publicly call for leadership. But he does want to prove himself which will be hard enough now that he is in the eye of the public. He's still young and does not seem to have a problem helping the no. 1 leader, which will obviously be Evenepoel. But I don't think he will be just on helping duty. He did fantastic this year and I see him having some freedom again next year. Makes sense for the team to go on the attack with more than one strong option. They can't win against Pogačar in the form of the last two years either way, but it would be great to see them try really hard.

 

[AlfaLum]

Out of the three GTs I would say Vuelta is normally the one least suited to Lipowitz his skill set.

Definitely would bet on one of the UAE boys beating Lipowitz in an average Vuelta.

So I think Roglic still makes sense. Personally I think that Roglic is one the decline, but with just one bad year its too early to make that call with certainty. After two top-6s in a season Pellizarri definitely deserves a co-leader role in either the Giro or the Vuelta.

 

[chickenlips]

Except Remco has done 2GT before and the plans were for 2 GT the past 2 years, derailed by injury.

The most likely scenario next year is Remco giro/vuelta thanks to Gouvenou's ITT allergy.

We can also stop this mile high pile of horse manure of Lipowitz being the leader. When he wins half as much as Remco does, he can ask for leadership. Until then, if he does a GT with Remco, he's on donkey duty

And if Remco has a bad day and finds himself well behind Lipo, would Remco be on donkey duty for lipo, or is that a perfect excuse for him to leave the Tour and leave Lipo in the lurch so he can prep for another race?

 

[MLKarlos]

Out of the three GTs I would say Vuelta is normally the one least suited to Lipowitz his skill set.

Definitely would bet on one of the UAE boys beating Lipowitz in an average Vuelta.

So I think Roglic still makes sense. Personally I think that Roglic is one the decline, but with just one bad year its too early to make that call with certainty. After two top-6s in a season Pellizarri definitely deserves a co-leader role in either the Giro or the Vuelta.

Exactly.

The reason I suggested Lipo to the Giro is, because he is a Diesel engine. The big mountains suit him and the climbing heavy week 3 would be a perfect week for him.

Contrast: Vuelta is Roglic territory…so let him Play to his strengh.

Send Lipo to the Tpur afterwards, to have a Backup and technical options for Remco and in worst case a very good domestique (if Lipo is tired)

 

[Berniece]

And if Remco has a bad day and finds himself well behind Lipo, would Remco be on donkey duty for lipo, or is that a perfect excuse for him to leave the Tour and leave Lipo in the lurch so he can prep for another race?

Depends how bad it is. If it’s like Vuelta 2023 => donkey duty, if it’s like TDF 2025 => quit

But TDF 2025 scenario doesn’t happen if he stays on the bike

 

[Mayomaniac]

And if Remco has a bad day and finds himself well behind Lipo, would Remco be on donkey duty for lipo, or is that a perfect excuse for him to leave the Tour and leave Lipo in the lurch so he can prep for another race?

Nah, Evenequit all the way!

 

[Faserr]

Two GTs for Lipowitz is too much. He was already dead this year after the Tour. Giro Tour is too much for him. People forget that he is relatively new to cycling.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Two GTs for Lipowitz is too much. He was already dead this year after the Tour. Giro Tour is too much for him. People forget that he is relatively new to cycling.

He was already in cycling five years ago and this year he was already near his peak for the Dauphiné, his supposed season goal

 

[Salvarani]

Lipo wants to ride the Tour again, if reports have been correct.

It really should be him and Remco going to the Tour.

I think Roglic should be doing Giro and Vuelta here. If anyone is doing two GTs.

However, I guess it is possible that if Remco really wants to ride Giro.

Giro - Remco
Tour - Lipo + Roglic
Vuelta - Roglic

I would be surprised, but I guess if Remco puts his foot down and his adamant... he will get to do that. I dont think Giro-Tour sounds like a good idea.

And Remco doing Giro-Vuelta... that would be really bad Roglic. I would feel sorry for Roglic as he seems really done with the Tour at this point and he will not get to lead any of the GTs if that happens.

 

[houtdffan]

Lipo wants to ride the Tour again, if reports have been correct.

It really should be him and Remco going to the Tour.

I think Roglic should be doing Giro and Vuelta here. If anyone is doing two GTs.

However, I guess it is possible that if Remco really wants to ride Giro.

Giro - Remco
Tour - Lipo + Roglic
Vuelta - Roglic

I would be surprised, but I guess if Remco puts his foot down and his adamant... he will get to do that. I dont think Giro-Tour sounds like a good idea.

And Remco doing Giro-Vuelta... that would be really bad Roglic. I would feel sorry for Roglic as he seems really done with the Tour at this point and he will not get to lead any of the GTs if that happens.

Rog is not winning a gt at this point.

 

[Salvarani]

Rog is not winning a gt at this point.

Was that the point? No.

 

[pastronef]

Redbull will never leave Remco home for the TDF. cycling is about marketing. Redbull, Specialized. Bora, won't lose the chance to have him there.

 

[houtdffan]

Redbull will never leave Remco home for the TDF. cycling is about marketing. Redbull, Specialized. Bora, won't lose the chance to have him there.

Also would be good marketing for 2027 to have the giro and vuelta winner challenging pog

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Except Remco has done 2GT before and the plans were for 2 GT the past 2 years, derailed by injury.

The most likely scenario next year is Remco giro/vuelta thanks to Gouvenou's ITT allergy.

We can also stop this mile high pile of horse manure of Lipowitz being the leader. When he wins half as much as Remco does, he can ask for leadership. Until then, if he does a GT with Remco, he's on donkey duty

I agree somewhat with this. If he is committed to winning the Tour someday as his #1 goal, he’s should ride two GTs this year, but he will likely not get the results he wants immediately. It will facilitate a shift in his strengths in the direction he needs, though.

I also agree that everyone is elevating Lipowitz beyond his earned status. However, I wouldn’t put him on “donkey duty” for Remco, just as 1B.

Rog is not winning a gt at this point.

There is no direct evidence for that. You can point to his age and others’ decline and extrapolate, but he won the Vuelta easily in 2024 and had bad luck in 2025. You might as well point to Remco’s 2025 Tour and say he will never win a GT. I would argue Roglic had way more reason to underperform in that Tour than Remco. And I know…the winter prep. Roglic missed the winter in 2022-2023 and won his first stage race against Remco, then won the Giro despite a crash.