Lipowitz comeback date revealed after Tour de France crash

Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) is set to return to racing seven weeks after suffering a broken collarbone at the Tour de France. 

The German crashed during Stage 16’s individual time trial at the Tour while he was sitting fifth overall, 50 seconds behind third-placed Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). Lipowitz was forced to abandon the race and was later confirmed to have suffered a broken collarbone. 

Following surgery, Lipowitz began his rehabilitation at the Red Bull Athletic Performance Centre (APC) in early August, before returning to riding on the indoor trainer.

“The first few days after the operation were mainly about getting the rest I needed. Being able to start training again was an important step. Of course, after a break like that, you notice that there is still a lot missing. But I could feel progress from one session to the next,” explained Lipowitz. 

Red Bull have announced that the German has now fully recovered and is set to return to action on September 9 at the Giro della Toscana in Italy. 

The Giro della Toscana is typically centred around two ascents of the Monte Serra (Passo Prato Ceragiola). Del Toro soloed to victory in the 97th edition of the Italian one-day race last season, which was his second of seven victories in Italy in the space of just over a month. 

For Lipowitz, the Giro della Toscana will mark his first one-day road race of the season. Beyond the Trofeo Ses Salines, a team time trial event in Mallorca to open his season in January, Lipowitz has raced solely in stage races this season. 

“More than anything, I’m looking forward to pinning on a race number again and racing. After seven weeks without competition, I can’t know exactly where I stand,” he said.

“That’s what we want to find out. For me, these first races aren’t about results. I want to see how my body responds to the demands of racing, get back into the rhythm and then decide together with the team what is still possible this season.”

Beyond the Giro della Toscana, Red Bull confirmed that multiple Italian one-day races are being considered and could be added to Lipowitz’s schedule based on insights gained from each race day. These include the Coppa Sabatini on September 10, the Memorial Marco Pantani on September 12, and the Trofeo Matteotti on September 13.

In addition, depending on how the next few weeks go, Lipowitz also aspires to feature at the World Championships in Montréal, Canada on September 27, though only if he feels he is at the right level to do so.

“Of course, the World Championships are a race that appeals to me. But one thing is also clear: if my form isn’t good enough, I don’t want to take a spot away from another rider,” he said.

“We have a lot of strong German riders who are well suited to the course in Montréal. I want to wait for these first races and take an honest look at where I stand. If the form is there, I’d really like to race the Worlds – but I’m not putting any pressure on myself about that right now.”