France loop: Lipowitz annoys tour stars-“tried my shot” | EUROtoday

After his first exclamation mark on the Tour de France, Florian Lipowitz was warmly welcomed by crew boss Ralph Denk. Already on the second day, the German hope service aggravated the celebs of the bike scene with a brave assault, even when basic king Mathieu van der Poel ended up on his terrain within the livid remaining in Boulogne-sur-Mer and received the yellow jersle together with his victory earlier than the tour stars Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard.

“I tried my shot at the end, unfortunately it didn’t work. But I’m happy to arrive with the group,” mentioned Lipowitz within the ARD. The failed begin was forgotten on the 112nd tour of France when all the crew had been left behind and Lipowitz and captain Primoz Roglic had acquired 39 seconds.

Attack 800 meters earlier than the end ended

Suddenly Lipowitz was drawn within the remaining of the longest stage of this yr’s tour with 209.1 kilometers and had supplied an alarm temper at Pogacar and Co. The enterprise was over 800 meters earlier than the end line. Lipowitz hadn’t felt good at first of the tour. “After the Dauphiné tour, I needed a little break. I took out the last three days before the tour. I think I need two or three days to get back in,” mentioned the 24-year-old.

He acquired an additional reward from captain Primoz Roglic: “He is very strong. Chapeau. He did a great job.” Sports director Rolf Aldag additionally spoke of a “strong performance”, but in addition warned: “As nice as this for the German cycling fans can be said: Let us break out into great euphoria, so it is also dangerous for the athlete Lipowitz.”

In distinction, the Dutch ex-world champion van der Poel, who tore the yellow jersey within the tough remaining within the tough remaining. Previously, the primary trade of blows of the tour favorites had occurred. In the tip, Pogacar landed a degree victory. Through his second place, he collected two bonus seconds as Vingegaard and already took the second general behind van der Poel, who changed his Belgian crew -mate Jasper Philipsen within the yellow jersey.

“It was super heavy. I was really motivated. It was time to win my second tour stage. It is a dream for the team with the yellow jerseys on the first two days. Everything that is coming is a bonus,” mentioned van der Poel.

Against the basic specialist, everybody was powerless on the small ramp. The winner of Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix confirmed his complete class and sprinted to victory on the rising residence straight on the Boulevard Auguste Mariette. Just like in 2021, when he additionally received on the second stage on the Mur-de-Brittany and wore the yellow jersey for six days.

Bad climate: begin quarter-hour later

Flowing rain at first in Lauwin-Planque, later wind and a treacherous route profile with greater than 2000 meters of altitude have been tough for the drivers. The begin needed to be postponed by quarter-hour because of the unhealthy climate, the groups had been caught on the chaotic journey.

Again and once more it got here on the way in which to Boulogne-sur-Mer, the place Erik Zabel received his eleventh of twelve stage wins in 2001. The German Red Bull crew round Lipowitz was spared. Safety is doing this time, however Captain Roglic additionally accepts a lack of time.

On the primary stage, all the Red Bull crew had misplaced the connection-and put criticism for it. Roglic and Lipowitz have been pushed in Lille with 39 seconds. “We are always accused, we fall so often, this time we prevented it. (…) The 30 seconds will not decide the tour, a heavy fall,” mentioned sports activities director Rolf Aldag the marching route for the hectic first week.

At the Giro d’Italia, Roglic had to surrender the race after a number of falls, and his final three tour contributors additionally ended prematurely. This time the Slovenian will get extra relaxed: “I don’t have to prove anything anymore. I want to arrive in Paris and drink some champagne.”

On Monday, the sprinters can hope for a basic mass arrival once more. The third stage leads over 178.3 kilometers from Valenciennes to the port metropolis of Dunkirchen, the place the ultimate is totally flat.