"We'll need to carry out a proper check-up" - Florian Lipowitz crashes dangerously into electricity box on return home at Deutschland Tour 2025

Florian Lipowitz had been enjoying his return home at the 2025 Deutschland Tour, showing the kind of gritty determination and form that marked him out as one of Germany’s brightest young talents. But his momentum came to an abrupt and painful stop during stage two, when a crash on the tricky closing kilometres threatened to derail his campaign.

Just 16 kilometres from the finish line on a demanding course from Herford to Arnsberg, Lipowitz lost control in a sharp left-hand bend. The collision with a roadside electricity box was severe enough to force a medical break, raising immediate fears about the extent of his injuries. Yet, true to his resilient reputation, Lipowitz got back on the bike and crossed the line, though well off the pace.

“We have to do a thorough check and then see how things go,” Lipowitz told ZDF after the stage. “It looks like I haven’t injured myself too badly. The main issue is my right hand. Now it’s a question of whether I can hold the handlebars or not.” His pragmatic assessment underscored the uncertainty hanging over his condition.

For a rider who has been making waves after a breakthrough Tour de France performance, the timing couldn’t be worse. Lipowitz had been a key player for his team, tirelessly working to shield his teammate Danny van Poppel despite nursing the after-effects of a recent cold. The crash not only ended his day prematurely but raised questions over his ability to maintain this level of form.

While the drama unfolded, Jhonatan Narváez seized the stage victory in a nail-biting sprint finish, but for many eyes, the headline was the scare suffered by Lipowitz — a reminder that even on home roads, nothing in professional cycling is guaranteed.

Looking ahead, all focus will be on Lipowitz’s recovery and whether he can shake off this setback. For now, the Deutschland Tour rolls on without one of its brightest German hopes at full strength. Whether this crash proves a mere blip or a turning point remains to be seen.