'I just want to race' - Florian Lipowitz vows not to change racing style after debut Tour de France podium

Germany hasn't been this excited about a cyclist since Jan Ullrich

Florian Lipowitz
(Image credit: Getty Images)

At the start of the Tour de France, an unidentified ‘secret pro’ wrote for Escape Collective that Florian Lipowitz races “atrociously bad.” The 24-year-old German, according to the unnamed peloton insider, is a rider “who is clueless but riding really strong.” They added of his ride at the Critérium du Dauphiné where he finished third: “I was watching him attack and then dangle five seconds in front of the peloton that was riding tempo, thus exposing himself to the wind and wasting incredible amount of energy… he was just constantly doing the opposite of what he should be doing. He’s clearly an insane talent, but he races horribly.”

At the end of the Tour de France, Lipowitz, that unstylish and at times suicidal bike rider, has won the white jersey for the best young rider and finished third overall, behind winner Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard. Remove those two epoch-defining superstars from the picture, and Lipowitz, riding his first Tour, has been the best bike rider. Third, despite concerted pressure from Oscar Onley, is deservedly his.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Chris Marshall-Bell

A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.


Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.