WorldTour
Florian Lipowitz Climbs to Third on Hautacam as GC Battle Heats Up
Lipowitz climbs to fourth, while Roglič now sits seventh overall after the first high mountains test.
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Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe delivered a strong performance on the first high-mountain stage of this year’s Tour de France, with Florian Lipowitz finishing third on Hautacam after a determined ride in the final kilometres. Primož Roglič also held his place among the GC contenders, finishing ninth on the stage.
On the decisive slopes of the hors catégorie climb to Hautacam, Pogačar launched a solo attack 12 kilometres from the summit, quickly distancing the GC group. As the climb wore on, the race broke apart behind him. With 5km remaining, Florian attacked from the chasing group, initially going clear with Onley before continuing alone in pursuit of Vingegaard, who had gone up the road.
Florian held a strong pace to the summit, crossing the line in third place, 2:23 minutes behind Pogačar and 13 seconds off Vingegaard. It marks his best-ever Grand Tour stage result and moves him up to fourth in the general classification. Primož, who had followed the key group into the final climb, finished ninth on the stage and also moves up in the overall standings, to seventh place, ahead of tomorrow’s mountain time trial.
I set the pace on the first part of the climb for Primož, and I wanted to keep the tempo high. Then I gave it a go myself. I tested the others, and a gap opened up. I got away with Onley. At first, I stayed on his wheel, in case Primož came back. At some point, I decided to try. We can be really satisfied. After the first real mountain challenge, we have two riders high in the GC. That gives us a lot of options for the coming stages.
It was really fast today, and a big battle unfolded in the last 7km to get to the top of the climb. A day like this is always pretty tiring. Lipo had the legs today so it was a great job from him. When you have the legs, you have to go. I’m really happy and hope he can continue with his level here.
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