Florian Lipowitz looks to change his approach in 2027, with full support from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
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Follow us on GoogleWhile 2025 was a true breakthrough year for Florian Lipowitz, 2026 turned out to be a slightly more challenging season. After a fantastic start, the Tour de France ended in disappointment, as he crashed out of contention for the podium in the time trial. He broke his collarbone in the process. There’s work to be done for next year, says Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe team manager Ralph Denk.
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Lipowitz started 2026 with a bang
Last year, Lipowitz finished second in Paris-Nice, third in the Critérium du Dauphiné, and capped it off with a sensational third-place finish at the Tour de France.
The German climber’s star was on the rise. He kicked off 2026 with a victory in Spain, followed by a third-place finish in the Tour of Catalonia and second-place finishes in the Tour of the Basque Country and the Tour de Romandie.
In preparation for the Tour de France, he dominated the Tour of Slovenia.
Crash at the the 2026 Tour de France ended Lipowitz' season
And so he seemed to be one of the top contenders for the Tour de France, but that race didn’t go as planned. After a strong start, he lost a minute to fellow team leader and stage winner Remco Evenepoel in stage fifteen. He then crashed hard fall at the time trial. He broke his collarbone in the crash, effectively ending his race.
His withdrawal from the Tour de France was tough on him, especially since he had to undergo surgery. But Denk offered him words of encouragement:
“We made it clear to him that he was among the absolute best in the first half of the season. He finished on the podium in Catalonia, the Basque Country, and French-speaking Switzerland. On top of that, he won the Tour of Slovenia,” the German told Eurosport.
Read more below the photo!
Lipowitz had to share the role of team leader in the Tour with Evenepoel
Lipowitz will focus more on one-day races in 2027
Lipowitz returned in autumn and was also scheduled to ride the Tour of Lombardy. However, he missed that race due to illness. It was supposed to be the first step toward the new year.
The German had already said he wanted to focus more on one-day races in order to become a more well-rounded rider. “I would actually welcome that, because one-day races are ridden even harder than stage races,” says Denk.
Florian Lipowitz to ride the Tour of Flanders?
He is, however, a bit cautious. So we won’t be seeing his team leader in the Tour of Flanders, as Evenepoel did this year:
“It has to be the right fit. It’s a balancing act.” So definitely expect to see Lipowitz at Liège–Bastogne–Liège or the Flèche Wallonne. Those races could serve as good preparation for a goal later in the year.
Because Denk sees a lot of potential for Lipowitz at the next World Championships, which will be held in France on a course that’s perfect for climbers:
“The World Championships are incredibly tough, with 5,000 meters of elevation gain, and that’s exactly what Florian excels at. That’s why it would be good for him to ride one or two one-day races beforehand.”- Ralph Denk to Europsport
Read more below the photo!
Lipowitz broke his collarbone in a serious fall during the Tour de France.
Lipowitz to the Giro d'Italia, or Evenepoel?
Ahead of the Tour de France, the partnership between Lipowitz and Evenepoel was the subject of much discussion: would there be a single team leader?
It remained a topic of conversation during the Tour as well, thanks to the Belgian, who grumbled about a lack of cooperation. They quickly buried the hatchet. But what will it be like next year? Both riders are brimming with ambition for the Grand Tours.
That could really come into its own in the Tour de France, but also sooner. For many teams, the Giro d’Italia will suddenly have become a major goal after Tadej Pogacar announced he wouldn’t be starting there.
Will Lipowitz start the Giro d'Italia, or Evenepoel? “That’s a question worth discussing,” Denk responds. “The outcome isn’t set in stone yet. We’ve already won the Giro and know how that feels. It certainly has its charm.”
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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