Lipowitz rules out Giro, sets sights on 2026 Tour de France

"The Giro is not on the schedule," Lipowitz revealed during a media event in Stuttgart, according to CyclingMagazine.de. "The Tour de France is the biggest race. Everyone probably wants to participate."

The 23-year-old, who claimed both a podium spot and the white jersey for best young rider at the 2025 Tour, appears to favour the recently unveiled 2026 Tour route despite only having given it a cursory look.

"I didn't look at the route in detail, just skimmed over it," said Lipowitz, whose said it was a "demanding" course. "Next year it will start very challenging, but the last week will be extremely difficult."

The difficult Alpine finale could play to Lipowitz's strengths, as he typically improves deeper into Grand Tours. "I often have a bit of trouble getting into the race. In the first few days this year I had a bit of a hard time, then it went better," he explained.

While Lipowitz has become a popular figure in Germany following his breakthrough Tour performance, he expressed a preference for sharing leadership duties rather than carrying the sole burden of team expectations, which is likely to be the case at Red Bull come July, with the fresh introduction of Belgian, Remco Evenepoel from Soudal-QuickStep.

"As the sole leader, you are under more pressure, you have to grow into it first," Lipowitz stated, suggesting he sees advantages in a dual leadership approach.

Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe's star-studded roster includes several potential Tour captains, including new signing Remco Evenepoel, alongside established GC contenders like multiple Grand Tour winner, Primož Roglič, Giro d'Italia winner, Jai Hindley, Dani Martinez, and Aleksandr Vlasov.

Team management faces the complex task of distributing talent across the three Grand Tours. "We are now waiting for the routes of the other Grand Tours before finalising our season plans for the captains," said the team's new Chief of Sports, Zak Dempster.

Lipowitz himself acknowledges the road to July remains long. "I would like to ride, but of course a lot can happen in the preparation. You have to see how the races go, but basically the Tour is of course an issue," he said.

The German rider is now returning to training after health issues forced an earlier than planned offseason, during which he underwent surgery on his nasal septum. His full race schedule is expected to be announced in December.

"This is a very intensive time for the sporting management," Lipowitz concluded at Monday's media round in Stuttgart.