Satisfied Lipowitz sees the silver lining after yet another second place behind Pogačar

It was Tadej Pogačar who won again in Sunday's final stage of the Tour de Romandie — but it was also once again Florian Lipowitz who came second. More than that: the Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe rider showed courage by opening the finale with his own attack. Afterwards, Lipowitz was more than content.

An eighth place at the Tour of the Algarve did not say much — but the results that followed for Lipowitz are at the very least impressive. The German finished third at the Tour of Catalonia (behind Jonas Vingegaard and Lenny Martinez) and second at the Tour of the Basque Country (behind Paul Seixas).

So the Red Bull rider came into Romandie as one of the favourites to stay with Pogačar the longest. That proved to be the case — though the world champion was in a class of his own. Lipowitz finished second to Pogačar three times during the week, and after his courageous effort on the final day, second place in the overall classification followed.

That is in itself a fine result, though the German may well have hoped to win on the final stage. He attacked first of the favourites — though that had not been the plan. "The plan was simply to stay on Tadej's wheel, but I felt really good all day," he said afterwards to CyclingProNet.

In that sense it became something of an all-or-nothing move. "When we reached the final five kilometres, I thought I had nothing left to lose." Lipowitz wound up his sprint from a long way out. "At the finish line I tried, as I did two years ago, to give everything from the start of the final climb." Without success, in the end.

But: "I think I can be very happy and proud of how this week has gone. Chapeau to the team. We really had a good race and I'm happy with today," he said with satisfaction. And his courage — the ability to turn fear into boldness — in taking the fight to Pogačar on the final day certainly deserves praise.

He looked back on the day with genuine satisfaction. "I think he was also pretty close to his limit — but I was just really happy to be there with him and have the chance to fight alongside him. Hats off to him for another win. Still, I'm incredibly proud of how we raced today."

Second place in the overall classification is, once again, a strong result with an eye on what lies ahead. "From Catalonia onwards the training has been going well, and from race to race I've been feeling better. I definitely think I've taken a step forward compared to last year. We just need to keep doing what we're doing."

What is next for the German? Recovery first — and then the eyes turn quickly to the Tour de France. "I'm looking forward to getting some rest. After that we'll build towards the Tour. These three podium finishes give me a lot of confidence," said Romandie's runner-up.