After a rocky start in the Tour de France, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe has made significant strides in the general classification (GC). Currently, Primoz Roglic sits in sixth place, while Florian Lipowitz has impressively climbed to third on the podium. The team’s performance is bolstered by the strong contributions from Dutch cyclists Mick van Dijke and Danny van Poppel.
As the fifteenth stage approaches, the atmosphere within the team remains optimistic. Van Poppel, after finishing in third place a day earlier, noted, “The vibe is good, we’re on the right track.” With the recent withdrawal of competitor Remco Evenepoel, Lipowitz’s position strengthens as the team eyes a possible podium finish. Van Poppel expressed confidence in Lipowitz’s potential, emphasizing his remarkable performance in recent stages compared to Roglic.
Van Poppel plays a crucial role, making sacrifices for the climbers in the team. He stated that he is adjusting his role, moving away from being primarily a lead-out man for sprinter Jordi Meeus to supporting climbers like Lipowitz. “Yesterday, he had to take a quick pee before the intermediate sprint. I had trouble bringing him back,” he humorously recalled, underlining the teamwork spirit within the squad.
Additionally, Van Dijke, who is also new to the Tour, reflected on Lipowitz’s capabilities, especially his ability to keep pace with top riders like Jonas Vingegaard. Despite a recent crash involving Lipowitz, Van Dijke acted swiftly to help his teammate recover and get back into the race, showcasing the camaraderie and determination prevalent in the team.
Lipowitz himself shared that while he did not expect to be a contender for the GC, his recent performances have given him newfound confidence. Currently more than two and a half minutes ahead of Roglic, he still considers his opponent a co-leader, recognizing Roglic’s valuable experience as they venture into the more challenging stages ahead.
As the competition heats up, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe looks forward to the final week of racing, where they are prepared to leverage their strengths and possibly secure significant placements in the overall standings. The blend of experience and youthful vigor in the team bodes well for an exciting finish to the Tour.