Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have confirmed that Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz will share team leadership at the Tour de France, convinced that the two riders’ different talents and mindsets can be combined to target a place on the final Tour podium.
“We believe we are bringing one of the most complete squads to the start,” the team’s Chief of Sports Zak Dempster said when the final eight-rider line-up was confirmed.
“With Remco and Florian, we have two leaders who have already proven they can stand on the Tour podium. Their different strengths give us tactical options that could prove decisive.”
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A few days ago, team manager Ralph Denk suggested that the road and the racing will eventually decide who becomes the protected leader and real podium contender.
“Remco is still the team leader and Florian Lipowitz is a bit of the second man but in terms of sporting performance, they are on equal footing,” Denk explained to Flemish newspapers Het Laatste Nieuws and Het Nieuwsblad.
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“Eventually, there will come a day when one or the other feels better. Then they will have to fight it out between themselves on the road. I am convinced that this can work,” Denk made clear.
Jai Hindley and Maxim Van Gils will provide vital support in the mountains, with Mattia Cattaneo, Jan Tratnik, Nico Denz and Tim van Dijke selected for the flat and rolling stages. Aleksandr Vlasov, Finn Fisher-Black, Jordi Meeus and Daniel Martínez did not make the final selection, despite their Tour experience and current form.
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The team highlighted how both Evenepoel and Lipowitz have finished third in the Tour in 2024 and 2025 and that both have won the best young rider’s white jersey.
“Now, they will line up together for the first time as a leadership duo,” the team said.
“Their strengths complement each other perfectly. Evenepoel is one of the most explosive and versatile riders in the peloton, while Lipowitz has established himself as one of the most consistent stage racers.
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“The combination of their different skill sets gives Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe a level of tactical flexibility that few teams can match.”
“The strength of this roster goes far beyond Remco and Florian,” sports director Patxi Vila said.
“We have experienced climbers, strong all-rounders and riders capable of taking responsibility in every race situation. Every Tour develops its own dynamic, and with this team we have an answer to almost every possible scenario.”
Red Bull suggested that Tratnik, Cattaneo, Denz and Van Dijke will form the team’s ‘engine room’ as they guide and protect Evenepoel and Lipowitz during the three weeks of intense racing. Patxi Vila, Oliver Cookson, Klaas Lodewyck will be the sports directors, calling the strategy from the team cars.
Tratnik is the designated road captain, while van Dijke will make his Tour de France debut. The Dutch rouleur fractured his collarbone during an altitude training camp but Red Bull said he is fully fit.
Denz and Cattaneo brings a wealth of experience and calm. The Italian is especially close to Evenepoel and will also play an important role in the opening team time trial after finishing third in the Italian time trial championships.
The Red Bull line-up is split 50-50 between climbers and rouleurs, with Hindley and Van Gils expected to help Evenepoel and Lipowitz in the mountains.
Hindley finished third overall at the Giro d’Italia after fighting illness mid-race. He also won the 2022 Giro and a stage in the Pyrenees at the 2023 Tour. With Van Gils still building his form after a nasty crash in the spring, Hindley will play a key role in the Pyrenian stages in the first week of this year’s race. Van Gils returned at the Tour Auvergne–Rhône-Alpes and won a stage from the breakaway to confirm he is on his way back to peak form.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe for the 2026 Tour de FranceRemco EvenepoelFlorian LipowitzMattia CattaneoNico DenzJai HindleyJan TratnikTim van DijkeMaxim Van Gils
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