"I don’t want to take a spot away" - Florian Lipowitz return date confirmed but World Championships dilemma emerges
CyclingWednesday, 02 September 2026 at 11:05
Florian Lipowitz will make his return to racing next week after crashing out of the Tour de France and suffering a broken collarbone. After undergoing surgery, the German will race for Red Bull - BORA Hansgrohe next week but has broader ambitions later this month.
Lipowitz's podium dreams came crashing down on stage 16 of the Tour during the time trial as a sharp bend saw him lose traction on the road and hit the ground hard. After going under the knife, he returned to training in early August.
Red Bull have confirmed that he will make his return at the Giro della Toscana in Italy, his first one-day race of the season. After a slow start to the rehabilitation, Lipowitz said that the progress has been strong in recent weeks.
“The first few days after the operation were mainly about getting the rest I needed. Being able to start training again was an important step," Lipowitz said.
"Of course, after a break like that, you notice that there is still a lot missing. But I could feel progress from one session to the next."
Florian Lipowitz Tour de France 2026 stage 6
Lipowitz happy to be back racing
The main motivation is getting back that racing feeling over six weeks after his Tour abandon. Not focusing on results, Lipowitz hopes to re-find his shape before looking seriously at some end-of-season goals.
“More than anything, I’m looking forward to pinning on a race number again and racing. After seven weeks without competition, I can’t know exactly where I stand,” he said.
“That’s what we want to find out. For me, these first races aren’t about results. I want to see how my body responds to the demands of racing, get back into the rhythm and then decide together with the team what is still possible this season.”
World Championships participation?
The World Championships springs to mind, and with Tadej Pogacar currently a major doubt to defend the rainbow jersey, an opportunity lies for a new world champion to be crowned.
For Lipowitz, the Worlds dilemma is something that will weigh on him unless he finds good form - adding that he doesn't want to take a slot in the team if he's not at his best.
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“Of course, the World Championships are a race that appeals to me. But one thing is also clear: if my form isn’t good enough, I don’t want to take a spot away from another rider,” he added.
“We have a lot of strong German riders who are well suited to the course in Montréal. I want to wait for these first races and take an honest look at where I stand. If the form is there, I’d really like to race the Worlds – but I’m not putting any pressure on myself about that right now.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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