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SportsGerman rider Lipowitz declares attack on mountains for second place against Vingegaard
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German cyclist Florian Lipowitz (25) of Red Bull is preparing for the decisive mountain stages of the Tour de France, starting Saturday with the 155 km stage from Mühlhausen to Le Markstein. Lipowitz, currently seventh overall, is targeting second-placed Jonas Vingegaard. His team boss Ralph Denk expressed confidence, stating the team is exactly where they want to be. On Friday's longest stage (206 km), Swiss rider Mauro Schmid won from a breakaway, while Lipowitz finished safely in the peloton. However, Lipowitz lost one place in the overall standings due to a surprise ride by Olympic mountain bike champion Tom Pidcock, who now sits fourth. Red Bull's stated goal of a stage win remains unfulfilled, but Lipowitz remains optimistic about the weekend. Tadej Pogacar continues in yellow, ahead of Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel.
Source report
It will be a German Tour weekend — at least from the spectators' perspective. But what about the sporting action? At the Tour de France, a real declaration of war has been made.
Florian Lipowitz (25) is looking forward to the mountains, which truly begin on Saturday with the 155 km stage from Mühlhausen to Le Markstein. When asked whether he is not only eyeing the podium but also keeping an eye on second-placed Jonas Vingegaard (29/Denmark), the Swabian said:
"I think it will become clear at the latest tomorrow what is possible in this regard. But I think we can be quite happy so far."
His Red Bull team boss Ralph Denk (52) is also unworried, and instead rejoices:
"We are exactly where we want to be. From tomorrow it will really get going. We are looking forward to the big mountains starting now."
Red Bull is brimming with confidence, and German fans are carrying Lipowitz along the route. Already on Friday — on the longest stage of this year's Tour de France, covering 206 km from Dole to Belfort — thousands of German fans lined the roads with black-red-gold flags, no longer needing national football jerseys.
As expected, a breakaway group prevailed in the end, with Swiss rider Mauro Schmid (26) winning the sprint. The favorites, including Lipowitz, finished together in the peloton.
Mountain Biker Surprises Everyone
The Red Bull captain commented on the fan support:
"Today there were already an incredible number of German spectators. That naturally motivates and pleases you when so many are standing along the route."
However, Lipowitz lost one place in the overall standings and now sits seventh. This came after one rider surprised everyone on the long ride to Belfort: Tom Pidcock (26), the two-time Olympic champion in mountain biking.
The Briton was part of the original group of 57 riders that formed quickly after the start. He had the smallest gap to the top riders in the ranking. In the end, he managed third place on the stage and fourth in the overall standings — 29 seconds ahead of Lipowitz. It is expected that Pidcock will have to pay the price for his daring ride on Saturday, or at the latest on Sunday.
Stage Win Still Elusive
A minor blemish for Red Bull before the mountains: the stated goal of a stage win is still missing.
Lipowitz said:
"It would be nice if you could win even just one stage. But I think we can be quite happy as it is and then see what happens over the weekend."
Tadej Pogacar (27/Slovenia) continues in yellow, ahead of Vingegaard and Lipowitz's co-captain Remco Evenepoel (26/Belgium).
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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German Tour Star Lipowitz Declares Attack on Mountains for Second Place