“Remco is one of the best riders in the world. With Primoz as well, we’ll have one of the best teams” — Florian Lipowitz excited for Red Bull’s future

Florian Lipowitz’s ascent this summer was one of the Tour de France’s cleanest breakthrough stories: a first Tour, a podium in Paris and the white jersey for best young rider. It is small wonder, then, that the news of Remco Evenepoel’s move to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe has been greeted by genuine excitement inside the team — not panic.

Lipowitz’s reaction was straightforward when quizzed on his future teammate by VTM Nieuws. “Remco is one of the best riders in the world,” he said ahead of stage three of the Deutschland Tour. “With Primoz Roglic as well, we’ll have one of the best teams. I’m really looking forward to next year.”

Lipowitz’s 2025 Tour performance changed perceptions of the young German. Third overall and winner of the white jersey, he demonstrated consistency over three weeks — a performance that immediately put him in the conversation for future Grand Tour leadership roles. “It was an amazing experience,” Lipowitz reflected. “You have to stay focused every day, but finishing on the podium is something you never forget. It gives you a lot of confidence for the season ahead.”

Evenepoel’s arrival at Red Bull adds a headline-grabbing dimension to the team’s roster. The Belgian brings a Grand Tour victory (2022 Vuelta a Espana), multiple Monument wins, Olympic golds and world-class time-trial credentials. The combination of Lipowitz, Evenepoel and Roglic positions Red Bull as a squad capable of challenging the sport’s very best. “Having riders like this elevates the whole team,” Lipowitz said. “You push each other every day in training and racing — that’s how you grow.”

How will the team balance three potential leaders without internal friction? Lipowitz’s coach, John Wakefield, offered recent reassurance. “There’s enough racing to keep both of them happy,” he told Velo. “Florian’s attitude is: ‘Give me a good race programme, let me do my thing, and away we go.’ Both Florian and Remco are super professional. They know what they need to do.”

Wakefield emphasised that Lipowitz has always been comfortable riding alongside other strong leaders. “It wasn’t a problem last year at the Vuelta with Primoz. Florian just did his job. At this level, you’re professional. You have a job to do, and you do it. And there will be other races where they’ll get their own individual opportunities.”

For Lipowitz, the principle is simple. “I’m just looking forward to a good race calendar,” he said. “As long as I have that, I can focus on my goals and the team’s goals. It doesn’t matter if someone else is also racing for victories — it makes the team stronger.”

Fans will now be watching Red Bull’s race allocations closely: who targets which Grand Tour, and which riders will be co-leaders at week-long stage races. Wakefield believes the presence of Evenepoel and Roglic alongside Lipowitz can only benefit the squad. “When you bring more good riders on, the whole level of the team picks up. That effect filters all the way down to riders, to staff, to everyone. Having someone like that elevates everyone.”

Lipowitz sums it up with understated confidence: “I’m really looking forward to next year. We’ll have a strong team, and I think we can achieve some great things together.”