“We’ll see what’s possible...” – Florian Lipowitz and Primoz Roglic form Red Bull - BORA’s two-pronged attack against Tadej Pogacar in Romandie

The next test for Tadej Pogacar does not come from a single rival, but from a team prepared to apply pressure in numbers, as Florian Lipowitz and Primoz Roglic arrive at the 2026 Tour de Romandie offering Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe two distinct routes to the general classification.

It is a shift in dynamic from the one day battles of the Ardennes, and one that places added emphasis on depth, timing and sustained climbing strength across the week.

In that context, Lipowitz’s form gives the team its clearest line into the race.

Speaking in a pre-race press release issued by Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, Lipowitz pointed to his recent result at Itzulia Basque Country as a key reference point, saying: “The second place in the Basque Country gave me a lot of confidence. The week after wasn’t fully structured, but I believe the form is there. Now we’ll see what’s possible in Switzerland.”

Few riders line up in Switzerland with a more consistent recent record in week long stage races. Since his breakthrough at the Tour de Romandie in 2024, Lipowitz has finished on the podium in five of his last six WorldTour stage races of that length, missing out on another by a matter of seconds.

That run, combined with his performance in the Basque Country, positions him as a central figure on a route that limits the influence of time trialling and places greater weight on repeated climbing efforts.

Alongside him, Roglic adds a different layer to the challenge. A two time winner of the race, he brings both experience in managing general classification campaigns and the ability to respond to moves from rivals such as Pogacar across varied terrain. His presence ensures Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe are not tied to a single scenario as the race develops.

The 2026 edition offers little respite. A short opening prologue is expected to create only minor differences before the race quickly turns toward sustained climbing, with repeated elevation changes across the week and a decisive mountain finish in Leysin.

For Lipowitz, that closing stage carries a degree of familiarity. It was there in 2024 that he came close to a first WorldTour stage win and secured third place overall, a performance that marked his arrival at this level.

The broader profile of the race, with around 14,000 metres of climbing and limited flat terrain, reduces the likelihood of defensive racing and instead encourages aggressive approaches from teams capable of controlling the mountains.

Beyond the two headline names, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe arrive with a group capable of supporting multiple scenarios. Daniel Martinez, Finn Fisher-Black and Jan Tratnik all come directly from Liège Bastogne Liège, where they were part of the effort behind a Monument podium, bringing both climbing support and recent race intensity into the week.

Neo professionals Adrien Boichis and Luke Tuckwell complete the lineup on their race debut, adding further options across stages as the race evolves.

Whatever the internal structure, the broader objective remains defined by Pogacar. His presence continues to set the standard in stage racing, and any challenge for overall victory will require both strength and tactical variation across the decisive climbs.

For Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, the combination of Lipowitz’s current form and Roglic’s experience offers a platform to test that benchmark from more than one angle.

How effectively that pressure can be applied across a week of climbing will determine whether this dual approach can shift the balance against the sport’s most dominant rider.