Red Bull ready to let the road decide between Evenepoel and Lipowitz
Patxi Vila says Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe remains committed to supporting both of its Tour de France leaders, but accepts that the race could eventually force the team to favour one podium challenge over the other.
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Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe has entered a crucial phase of the Tour de France, with Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz still in podium contention in third and sixth overall.
For sporting director Patxi Vila, that is a confirmation that the team’s original plan is still working.
“We are where we wanted to be,” Vila told MARCA. "Both riders are still fighting for the podium, so we are where we wanted to be.”
The picture at the front of the race has become increasingly clear. Tadej Pogačar has once again established himself as the dominant rider, leaving his rivals to search for opportunities behind him.
Vila said the Slovenian’s level had not changed Red Bull’s internal assessment.
“II do not think it surprises us anymore,” he said. “He has got us used to performances like this. I think we all expected it.”
That has placed greater emphasis on the battle for the remaining podium positions, where Red Bull holds two strong but very different cards.
“Of the riders near the front, Remco is probably the one with the most punch,” Vila said. “He has the ability to break things open or shake up certain situations.”
Lipowitz has followed a more measured path through the Tour. The German has relied on consistency, positioning and his ability to limit losses on difficult days.
Vila believes he arrived at the race in the best condition of his career.
“His preparation went well,” he said. “He arrived at the Tour without any problems, so he came here as close to 100 per cent as possible.”
“This is the best version of Lipowitz I have seen.”
Red Bull delays leadership call
The presence of two podium contenders has inevitably created questions about leadership. Those questions became more prominent after Evenepoel expressed frustration following stage six, when he felt Lipowitz had not responded to a request for help in the final kilometre.
Red Bull later described the incident as a brief misunderstanding rather than a deeper dispute. Team manager Ralph Denk said the riders had discussed it and quickly moved on. Vila has since pointed to Lipowitz’s conduct on stage ten, when he stayed with Evenepoel during a difficult moment, as evidence that both riders continue to respect the team’s shared plan.
“Everything is in order,” Vila said. “Remco was managing a tough moment and Lipo respected that. There was no issue.”
Keeping that balance intact requires constant communication. Vila said the team tries to discuss likely race situations before they occur, reducing the risk of confusion when decisions have to be made under pressure.
For the moment, Red Bull sees no reason to impose a hierarchy. Evenepoel and Lipowitz remain close enough in the general classification for both podium ambitions to be protected.
Vila admitted, however, that the race could unfold in a way that forces Red Bull to prioritise one rider’s position over the other.
“There may come a moment when we have to choose,” he said. “I hope it does not happen, but it would not be unusual if we had to prioritise one position over another.”
His ideal scenario would be for both riders to remain together in the standings all the way to Paris.
“I would prefer never to have to make that decision,” Vila said. “That would mean both of them were still there at the end and both were on the podium.”
“The road and the legs will probably decide,” Vila said.
Roglic targets record fifth Vuelta
Away from the battle in France, Red Bull is already preparing for its next major Grand Tour objective. Primož Roglič is targeting a fifth victory at the Vuelta a España, which would give him the outright record.
“He is fully focused on trying to win his fifth Vuelta,” Vila said. “If anyone knows how to win that race, it is Primož.”
“He will have a very strong team around him and we will go there with the intention of winning.”
That task could become considerably harder if Tadej Pogačar decides to start. The Tour leader is reportedly considering a return to the Vuelta for the first time since 2019, although a final decision is likely to depend on how he comes through July.
For now, Red Bull has a more immediate concern: keeping both Evenepoel and Lipowitz in the Tour podium fight for as long as possible.
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