Florian Lipowitz stood in front of the picturesque panorama of the Côte d’Azur, in his right hand he held a bouquet of flowers, on his narrow shoulders he wore the white jersey of the best young driver of the Paris-Nizza race. With flying colors, the 24-year-old cycling professional passed the matriculation examination during the renowned long-distance trip and recommended second place in the overall ranking for an assignment at the Tour de France in summer.
“This result definitely gives me a lot of self -confidence,” said the young climbing specialist from Laichingen in the Swabian Alb: “In the end, it is something special, something I didn’t expect, but what I am incredibly proud of.” You know his qualities at the German team Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe. His commitment to the tour of France (5th to 27th July) has not yet been decided, said Lipowitz on Sunday. In June he denies the important preparatory race Critérium du Dauphiné, which is at least an indication and evidence of trust in him.
Captain for the first time, that is also a valuable experience
Florian Lipowitz has developed it with a quick climb. He used to be a biathlete, his older brother Philipp is still part of the squad of the German Ski Association. In the previous year, the talent managed to make a breakthrough in professional cycling. Lipowitz caused a sensation for the tour de Romandie and at the Giro d’Italia, but above all with the seventh place in the overall ranking at the Vuelta in Spain.
The Paris-Nizza race was its first big competition in 2025. Lipowitz used it to make aware of it again. He was very usual on the mountain. When wind edges plowed the field on the sixth stage, he demonstrated tactical flair and survived the crucial situation. He also gained experience in the unusual captain’s role. “To cope with the pressure as a classification driver, to stay focused and to deliver in the crucial moments, make this podium even more valuable,” he said: He mastered a “hard week with difficult weather conditions” – “not only physically, but also mentally”.
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