The year of his breakthrough in professional cycling comes to an end for Florian Lipowitz. In 2026, new challenges and increased expectations await the German shooting star.
Florian Lipowitz stuck to himself, and perhaps that is actually his greatest success this year. The 25-year-old made a sensational appearance on the podium of the Tour de France in the summer; his breakthrough as a professional cyclist catapulted him unhindered into the public spotlight – but essentially nothing has changed. “I’m still the same,” says Lipowitz at the end of a year that changed everything for him.
His demeanor is calm and grounded, his environment contributes to his down-to-earth attitude, his analyzes are reflective and surprisingly mature. He knows how to classify his success.
He made a “memory for life” when he finished his dream debut at the Tour of France in Paris in July – third overall and wearing the white jersey of the best young professional: “It was an incredible experience. I think every cyclist dreams of being on the podium in Paris one day.”
Lipowitz needs a “longer break”
But fame has its price. The quiet, rather reserved Lipowitz suddenly found himself at the center of attention, was a guest at festive receptions and the driving force of the Germany tour in August. He spent hours signing autographs and patiently posing for countless photos. The body was tired, and after 52 days of racing, the star of the Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe team decided to end the season early in September.
The mental capacities were also exhausted. Lipowitz says looking back, he first had to learn to deal with the big changes: “I definitely needed a longer break.”
Lipowitz is now back on the bike. He is diligently clocking up kilometers in training, and in the summer he plans to return to the Tour de France, then alongside his new teammate Remco Evenepoel. He should form a dual leadership with the Belgian double Olympic champion and challenge superstar Tadej Pogacar.
Pogacar and Co. now also have Lipowitz on their radar
A lot will be different in 2026. Because success also has its price. “More pressure and more expectations” will be on him, Lipowitz knows that very well, even if he tries “to ignore it a bit.”
But it’s not just public perception that will be different in the future. Lipowitz now also has a different status in the peloton. He wants to keep his racing style, “but the others probably won’t let me drive like I did this year,” said Lipowitz.
“The bar is very high”
The curse of success becomes perhaps his biggest hurdle in the new season. His team is aware of the uncomfortable situation. “I think we are facing a not entirely easy year because the bar is very high,” said team boss Ralph Denk, who recently signed the young star to a new, long-term contract. You have to be realistic. The past season went almost perfectly for “Lipo”: “It’s not easy to repeat that.”
There is no lack of support. If Lipowitz’s performance stagnates or even declines, it won’t be the end of the world. “I want to give him this security,” said Denk: “I believe his really big years are still to come.”
Florian Lipowitz will probably stay with himself then.