The German cycling professional Florian Lipowitz is the start of the Tour de France 2025. The podium in Paris is closer. But his success also brings dark sides.
Florian Lipowitz heats the cycling euphoria in Germany. With his strong appearances in the Pyrenees, the 24-year-old climbs further up in the overall classification. A podium square seems to be possible.
The last time that a German driver had the podium in his sights was in 2019. At that time Emanuel Buchman failed fourth.
Lipowitz has now explained that the euphoric reactions are a ambiguous matter. “It is really nice to see that a lot of cycling enthusiasts are again in Germany and also follow the race,” said the Ulmer after his fourth place in the mountain time trial of Peyragudes.
“On the other hand, you may also put yourself a little more pressure,” said Lipowitz: “Even yesterday after the first Pyrenees stage, I needed a while to get down. But on the whole it is super beautiful to see that many fans are there and that the support from home is so great.”
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Lipowitz is now in fourth place in the overall ranking. He continues to keep an eye on the big coup. On the last and heaviest Pyrenees stage on Saturday via the mythical tourmet, he could already take over the podium.
Lipowitz: “Everything is possible”
He only lacks six seconds on the third -placed Remco Evenepoel. The Belgian also showed weaknesses in the mountains. At the top, Dominator Tadej Pogacar leads with a 4:07 minute lead over Jonas Vingegaard. Pogacar has a 7:30 minutes up to the Germans.
“If you are honest, Pogacar and Jonas are out of reach. But I think we definitely have good cards in the fight for third place,” said Lipowitz: “I don’t want to look too far now. But everything is possible.”
The program stays tough: On Tuesday it goes on the notorious Mont Ventoux, then further towards the Alps.
“That’s how far I go quite well. But it is only my second Grand Tour,” said Lipowitz: “Driving three weeks of racing is something else. Let’s see what happens in the third week.”