The German cycling professional Florian Lipowitz continues to work heavily on his tour fairy tale. After the 14th stage, he stands on a podium and slips into the jersey of the best bungler. For the crucial week he relies on a special experience from the previous year
Florian Lipowitz has had the first major tasks. “I had great respect for the Pyrenees,” said the 24-year-old, after having mastered the final mountain test via the Col du Tourmalet with flying colors: “But we got through great. I’m really happy with the three days.”
His steep climb seems to him like a little fairy tale. “I came here without expectations. I would never have expected that it was going so well for the first two weeks. Especially after the first three or four days when I wasn’t doing so well,” admitted Lipowitz. “A dream comes true.”
Although the mountains were new territory for him, he was splendid: Lipowitz finished third in Hautacam, fourth in mountain time trial to Peyragudes and on Saturday fifth place followed on the way to the plateau above Bagnères-de-Luchon.
Lipowitz relies on vuelta experience
Because Rival Remco Evenepoel had to give up, Lipowitz is now third in the overall classification and the leaders of the young talent to the 15th stage. No mountain giants are waiting on the way to Carcassonne.
After the 14th stage, the German reacted to the one from his rival Evenepoel: “It is always super sad when someone leaves the tour, especially someone like Remco who was a candidate for white and third place. I wish him all the best and that he would hopefully soon be better,” said Lipowitz.
A podium in Paris has been the first German since 2006. Most recently, Andreas Klöden took third place in 2006. A Lipowitz podium is now a realistic goal.
“The third week will be the crucial week,” said Lipowitz. He builds on his experiences from the round of Spain 2024. At that time he became seventh. “It worked out well. Now I hope it works here too.”