Lipowitz tests Pogacar in Romandie finale - 'I think he was also quite on the limit'

But on the road to Leysin, feeling better than expected and with the summit finish beginning to bite, the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider decided that simply following was no longer enough.

“The plan was to just follow Tadej’s wheel,” Lipowitz said after the finish to CyclingProNet. “But I felt really good during the day. When we hit the last five kilometres, I thought there was nothing to lose.”

Ultimately, Lipowitz could not shake off Pogačar. Instead, it was the Slovenian who sealed overall victory in style, winning the stage with a familiar burst of power in the final 400 metres. Still, the German was the rider who dared to put the race into motion.

“On the finish line I just tried, like two years ago, to go all out from the start of the last kicker,” he said. “I think I can be super happy and proud of how this week was.”

Pogačar crossed the line three seconds ahead of Lipowitz and seven seconds ahead of Primož Roglič, adding a fourth stage win to his debut Tour de Romandie title. His final winning margin in the general classification was 42 seconds over Lipowitz, with Lenny Martinez completing the podium at 2:44.

For Lipowitz, second place was not a defeat so much as confirmation. He was the only rider able to consistently stay close to Pogačar on the final climb and ook op andere omenten eerder in de week, and while he admitted that the Slovenian also seemed to be close to his limit, he stopped short of claiming he had truly put him in trouble.

“I think he was also quite on the limit,” Lipowitz said. “But I was just really happy to be with him and to have a chance to compete with him. Chapeau to him for another win. Still, I’m super proud of how we raced today.”

The result leaves Pogačar with nine victories already this season, his strongest early season tally since 2023, and clear momentum as he builds toward his attempt at a record equalling fifth Tour de France title.

Lipowitz, meanwhile, leaves Switzerland with proof that his form is approaching its highest level. After eighth place at the Volta ao Algarve, third at the Volta a Catalunya and second at Itzulia Basque Country, the German is building a solid foundation for his ambition to show that his surprise podium finish at the 2025 Tour de France was no fluke.

“From Catalunya, it went pretty well, training wise, and from race to race I felt better,” he said. “Definitely, I think I stepped up from last year. We just need to continue with the things we’re doing.”

Lipowitz now turns his attention to recovery before his Tour de France build up begins in earnest. “I’m looking forward to having some rest,” he said. “Then we’ll build up to the Tour. For sure, these three podiums give some confidence.”

At the Tour de France, he will share leadership duties with Remco Evenepoel at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, with both riders already saying they are looking forward to that dynamic and the extra tactical options it could give them in the fight against Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard.