One place ahead of team leader Roglic, but Lipowitz stands firm: “I’m someone who’d rather take risks and maybe lose”

“After the first few stages, I didn’t feel great,” Lipowitz admitted to Sportschau. “I had some doubts about myself and my preparation. But now it’s clear that my form is good. I’m more than happy to be up there with the leaders. Still, I’m also really glad we had a rest day, ten days straight is exhausting,” he said, echoing the words of Enric Mas.

Lipowitz may be sitting in eighth place in the general classification, but his primary goal hasn’t changed. “That’s still to make it to Paris. There are eleven days left, and a lot can still happen. But of course, I’m happy my legs feel good and I hope to support Primoz (Roglic, ed.) well in the mountains. I think we make a strong duo. We’re in a good position.”

Co-leader, or just a domestique? “The roles are very clear,” says Lipowitz

The German currently sits seven seconds ahead of his team leader after ten stages. Still, that doesn’t mean the team hierarchy is changing. “I’d describe myself as a valuable helper. The division of roles is very clear. We just need to take it day by day. Primoz has shown he’s getting stronger every day. He was super strong on Monday, and the longer climbs really suit him. I’ll try to support him as best as I can.”

With just seven seconds separating him from Roglic, it’s possible Lipowitz could prove stronger in the Pyrenees than his Slovenian leader. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” the German said, clearly not preoccupied with the idea. “We’re a team, and we’ll discuss things together if that happens. But for now, the roles are set, and I’m more than happy with that. It’s my first Tour. Just making it to Paris is enough. Then we’ll see how it all plays out.”

Lipowitz also expressed deep respect for Roglic. “If I said I already knew a lot… well, I still have so much to learn, especially from a rider like Primoz. He’s won so much in his career, so he definitely has a tip or two. We get along really well. We both come from winter sports, so maybe that’s part of our connection.”

Team director Rolf Aldag has previously mentioned that his German protégé sometimes needs to be reined in, as Lipowitz tends to go on the offensive a bit too often. According to the rider himself, that’s a mix of inexperience and impatience. “But I think I’m just the kind of rider who prefers trying things. Even if it’s unnecessary or costs me extra energy. Just sitting back and waiting for Jonas and Pogacar to do something, then trying to follow them, that only gets you somewhere between fifth and tenth. I’d rather take risks, even if it means losing.”

The two big names he mentions are, in Lipowitz’s view, clearly the ones battling for the Tour victory. “Everyone knows, or assumes, that the Tour will be decided between those two. All the other teams are mostly focused on themselves and probably more on third place. As a team, we just need to focus on ourselves, use our strengths on the long climbs, and fight for that third spot.”