Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe has finalized its Tour de France roster with Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz leading a dual-leadership strategy. According to team officials, the squad is designed to challenge Tadej Pogacar by prioritizing collective depth over individual reliance. The team includes key climbers such as Jai Hindley and Mattia Cattaneo, aiming to provide tactical flexibility throughout the race.
How does the dual-leadership strategy work?
The team is moving away from the traditional model of a single, undisputed leader. Zak Dempster, the team’s Chief of Sports, stated that the Tour is no longer won by one exceptional rider, but by an exceptional team. While Remco Evenepoel remains the primary leader, Florian Lipowitz occupies a secondary role, though team boss Ralph Denk clarified that both riders are considered on equal footing from a sporting perspective. The strategy dictates that the road will determine the hierarchy based on which rider performs better during the race.
Both Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz have secured third-place finishes in the past 2 Tour editions.
Who is on the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe Tour roster?
The selection prioritizes versatility and climbing strength to manage various race scenarios. The official roster includes:
- Remco Evenepoel
- Florian Lipowitz (Dui)
- Jai Hindley (Aus)
- Mattia Cattaneo (Ita)
- Nico Denz (Dui)
- Jan Tratnik (Svn)
- Tim van Dijke (Ned)
- Maxim Van Gils
According to ploegleider Patxi Villa, the inclusion of experienced climbers like Jai Hindley—who finished third in the Giro—is vital to supporting the leaders in the high mountains.
Why is the team shifting toward a collective approach?
Patxi Villa noted that the team is built to provide an answer to almost any scenario, ensuring that the team remains in contention for the yellow jersey.
Watch the mountain stages closely. If the team uses both leaders to attack sequentially, they can force the yellow jersey holder to burn through their own domestiques early, leaving them isolated in the final kilometers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there internal friction between the two leaders?
Ralph Denk maintains that while they have different roles, their sporting equality is absolute. They are expected to settle leadership on the road based on physical performance.
Are there other Belgians in the squad?
Yes, Maxim Van Gils is the only other Belgian rider in the lineup. Others, such as Gianni Vermeersch and Jordi Meeus, were on the longlist but were not selected.
How does this team compare to previous Bora squads?
This iteration is described by the team as one of their most “complete” lineups.
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