BILD reveals Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe rift: Lipowitz, Evenepoel clash over sprint lead

Quarrel Between Lipowitz and Evenepoel

The German team Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe has two days to cool off. With sprint stages on the agenda for Friday and Saturday, the risk of its two captains — Florian Lipowitz (25) and Remco Evenepoel (26) — clashing again is low. As classification riders, they have little to do on flat-profile days.

LiPOwitz vs. EvenePOel – BILD reveals what's behind it!

Evenepoel accused Lipowitz of refusing to get out of the saddle to lead the sprint for third place on Stage 6. The Belgian expected Lipowitz to maintain a high pace for 1,000 meters. However, the Swabian indicated to his teammate that after 180 kilometers through the Pyrenees over the Tourmalet, he was exhausted.

Evenepoel lifted his butt alone but had no chance in the sprint, finishing fourth and missing out on four seconds of time bonus.

The double Olympic champion said: "I was annoyed, and rightly so. We will discuss this properly."

Lipowitz responded: "We talked to each other on the bus. I think everything is cleared up."

That resolution is important, as Lipowitz still needs Evenepoel to achieve his goal of reaching the podium on July 26 in Paris — as he did a year ago.

Team boss Ralph Denk (52) commented: "There's nothing major now. There was probably a language barrier and therefore a disagreement. That happens in the heat of battle after over 180 kilometers on a mountain stage."

Massive Echo

Can the dispute really be taken so lightly? Sunday's stage heads toward the Massif Central, where the terrain becomes hillier again. Monday is a rest day — perhaps a chance to sit down and talk for a longer period.

Evenepoel must understand that problems occurring for the first time should perhaps be addressed internally. Sheepishly, the morning after his outburst, he said: "Everything has been said. The past is the past. We have to look forward now."

The question remains: how long will the truce last? Experts inside and outside the team know that the Alpine profile in the third week suits Lipowitz more than Evenepoel. If Red Bull does not want to end up flat on its backside, the two must work together — and the time trial world champion will be needed as a helper for Lipowitz.

The echo of the dispute was enormous. Since Thursday, more attention has been paid to this duo than to the race leaders.

One rider, however, is doing his thing as expected. Rarely having to lift his butt or get out of the saddle due to his immense strength, he is chasing his fifth Tour victory — aiming to equal legends Jacques Anquetil (†53), Eddy Merckx (81), Bernard Hinault (71), and Miguel Indurain (61). His name: Tadej Pogačar.