Florian Lipowitz showed off at the Tour de France. © ANSA / MARTIN DIVISEK

Does Germany have a new Jan Ullrich?

Countless hugs, selfies and autographs – the improvised party at the Red Bull team bus within sight of the Arc de Triomphe once again demanded all of Florian Lipowitz's strength.

July 28, 2025

From: dpa/dl

After more than three weeks of exertion on the roads of France, Germany's new cycling star fulfilled his friends' and fans' every wish with a smile. The party, complete with pizza, beer, and a DJ, in a side street off the magnificent Champs-Élysées, marked the start of a long night in Paris for the Tour de France's third-place finisher.

Before the party marathon continued with a grand celebration on a boat on the Seine, the 24-year-old Swabian also treated himself to a quiet moment. He strolled hand in hand with his girlfriend Antonia and some family members and friends toward the Arc de Triomphe.

“The fact that I made it to the podium in my first Tour is something very special.” Florian Lipowitz

"I definitely need a day or two to fully comprehend everything that's happened in the last three weeks," Lipowitz admitted. "This has always been my dream. I never thought it would become reality. Finishing on the podium in my first Tour is something very special."

After three weeks of intense work on the bike, however, the party didn't last until sunrise for Lipowitz. "I think I got back to the hotel shortly before three. But it wasn't wild," Lipowitz said after a short night. The "euphoria" after the hard work provided "that extra energy" for the party.

Chancellor writes of “German sensational success”
The Chancellor’s quick congratulations also showed how highly this achievement should be assessed: “A sensational German success at the Tour de France: Congratulations, Florian Lipowitz, on a fantastic third place!” wrote Friedrich Merz on the platform X.

Reached the top of the world

After his coup in the Grande Nation, Lipowitz has finally reached the top of the world. Only the two exceptional riders, the now four-time Tour champion Tadej Pogacar and his long-time rival Jonas Vingegaard, were faster than the former biathlete and cycling newcomer from Laichingen after 21 stages. "But Pogacar and Jonas are still on a different level," admitted the debutant.

Florian Lipowitz (front) excelled in the mountains of the Tour de France. © ANSA / MARTIN DIVISEK

How long the Tour dominator from Slovenia will continue to have a seemingly insatiable appetite for titles remains unclear. "The Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which will take place in three years, are one of my goals. After that, I might consider retiring; we'll see," the 26-year-old Pogacar told the French sports newspaper "L'Equipe."

Lipowitz is expected to compete with the two stars again next year at the Tour. Incidentally, the Grand Départ will once again take place outside of France in 2026. The start will feature three stages around the Catalan metropolis of Barcelona.

Red Bull dreams of Tour victory

Lipowitz's discoverer, Ralph Denk, would love to win the Tour de France with his protégé one day. "That would be a dream. And one is allowed to dream." Third place in the Tour de France is "a milestone" for the Red Bull team boss. "We've won the Giro, the Vuelta, and world championships, but we've never been on the podium here," said Denk, who describes the young Swabian's development as a "passionate project."

Florian Lipowitz was defeated only by Jonas Vingegaard (left) and Tadej Pogacar. © APA/afp / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

"It's the icing on the cake that you've achieved this with a driver who became a professional with you." These are "emotionally different victories" than those of former world champion Peter Sagan, for which "a lot of money was paid."

A croissant and a café au lait

Lipowitz himself "wants to enjoy the moment" and not think too much about the future. He also doesn't yet know whether anything else is planned for him in his Swabian hometown of Laichingen, near Ulm.

All this hustle and bustle is unusual for the rather reserved cycling whiz. Autographs, photos, and interviews – all new: "I think I just have to grow into it. I couldn't have imagined it would happen so quickly."

First, he's taking a breather: "I'm already looking forward to a break," he said before his upcoming five-day vacation in South Tyrol. He planned to spend Monday in Paris with his girlfriend, strolling through the city—the French way: with a croissant and a café au lait.