Florian Lipowitz Secures Third Overall at the Critérium du Dauphiné: A Breakthrough for German Cycling.
By Sports Desk | June 2025
A Rising Star in the Mountains
The Critérium du Dauphiné, one of cycling’s most prestigious week-long stage races, has often been seen as the ultimate dress rehearsal for the Tour de France. Known for its brutal climbs in the French Alps, its unpredictable weather, and its gathering of the world’s strongest riders, the Dauphiné is no ordinary warm-up event. It is a race that tests champions, exposes weaknesses, and often foretells who will shine in July.
This year, the 2025 edition of the Dauphiné delivered another thrilling spectacle. And at the heart of the drama was a rider few expected to be standing on the final podium: Florian Lipowitz, a 23-year-old German talent from Laichingen, riding for BORA–hansgrohe. Against the likes of Grand Tour winners and seasoned climbers, Lipowitz not only held his own but powered his way to a third-place finish in the general classification (GC) — a result that has shaken the cycling world and signaled the arrival of a new force in stage racing.
The Battle for the Podium
The race unfolded over eight grueling stages, featuring time trials, high-altitude climbs, and tense sprint finishes. While the overall victory went to the French favorite and defending Tour champion David Gaudu, who demonstrated his climbing supremacy in the final Alpine stages, and second place was taken by the ever-consistent Primož Roglič, it was Lipowitz’s performance that stole much of the spotlight.
Starting the week as an underdog, Lipowitz entered the race without the burden of expectation. He was seen as a domestique-in-development, someone whose role would be to support team leaders such as Jai Hindley or Aleksandr Vlasov. Yet, as the stages unfolded, the young German proved he had ambitions of his own.
- In the individual time trial, Lipowitz delivered a surprisingly strong ride, losing only marginal time to specialists like Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard.
- On the first mountain stage, he clung to the wheel of the favorites, showing resilience and tactical awareness.
- Then came the queen stage: a summit finish atop the fearsome Col de la Croix-de-Fer. Lipowitz matched the accelerations of Gaudu and Roglič, eventually crossing the line just behind them. It was in this moment that fans and pundits began to realize — this was not a fluke.
By the final stage into Grenoble, Lipowitz had secured his place among the elite. With Roglič and Gaudu battling for the top step, Lipowitz rode intelligently, refusing to be drawn into unnecessary risks. He defended his GC podium with maturity beyond his years, finishing third overall — a career-defining moment.
A Historic Achievement for Germany
For German cycling, Lipowitz’s success represents more than just another podium finish. It signals the resurgence of a nation long hungry for a new general classification contender. Since the days of Jan Ullrich and Andreas Klöden, Germany has produced outstanding sprinters and classics riders — the likes of Marcel Kittel, André Greipel, and John Degenkolb — but few climbers who could truly challenge for stage race victories.
BORA–hansgrohe, a team built around German identity, has been striving for this breakthrough for years. With Peter Sagan’s era fading and Jai Hindley delivering a Giro d’Italia win in 2022, the team needed a new hero to carry the torch. In Lipowitz, they may have found their man.
“Florian has been exceptional,” said team manager Ralph Denk after the final stage. “We knew he was talented, but the way he has handled pressure, the way he has fought in the mountains — this is the beginning of something very special. German cycling should be proud today.”
The Making of a Champion
Lipowitz’s journey to the Dauphiné podium is nothing short of inspiring. Born in Laichingen, a small town in Baden-Württemberg, he grew up far from the glamour of major cycling hubs like Girona or Monaco. His early years in the sport were defined by determination and self-belief rather than lavish resources.
At junior level, he showed promise but was not regarded as a prodigy. Instead, he developed steadily, moving into the U23 ranks where he impressed with his climbing ability. Scouts at BORA–hansgrohe noticed his persistence and work ethic, bringing him into the development squad. By 2024, he was promoted to the WorldTour team.
In his first professional season, Lipowitz displayed flashes of brilliance, particularly in week-long races like the Tour of the Alps and the Tour de Romandie. But few anticipated he would make such a dramatic leap in 2025. His podium in the Dauphiné has now thrust him into the spotlight, not just in Germany but across the global cycling community.
The Riders’ Reactions
Even the sport’s biggest stars have acknowledged Lipowitz’s breakthrough.
- Primož Roglič, the runner-up, remarked: “I was impressed by Florian. He rode with courage, always there in the decisive moments. You don’t see many young riders with that level of maturity.”
- David Gaudu, the champion, added: “It’s great to see new talent emerging. Florian’s podium here shows he’s ready to fight at the highest level. He has a big future.”
- Fellow German Lennard Kämna, also of BORA–hansgrohe, summed it up: “This is huge for us. To have a German on the podium of the Dauphiné — it’s been a long time. It gives the whole team and the whole country a lift.”
What This Means for the Tour de France
The Dauphiné has often been a reliable predictor of Tour de France form. With the Grand Départ just weeks away, cycling fans are already speculating about what Lipowitz’s performance could mean for July.
While Gaudu, Roglič, Vingegaard, and Evenepoel will enter the Tour as the main favorites, Lipowitz’s presence adds intrigue. Could he aim for a top-10 finish? Perhaps even the white jersey for best young rider?
His team, however, is treading cautiously. “We don’t want to put too much pressure on him too soon,” said Denk. “The Tour is another level, with three weeks of racing. But Florian has shown he belongs. We’ll see how far he can go.”
For Lipowitz himself, the approach is humble but ambitious. “This podium means a lot to me,” he said at the press conference. “I came here to learn, and I’ve learned so much. To stand on the podium with champions like Gaudu and Roglič is unbelievable. The Tour will be a big challenge, but I’m motivated to give my best.”
A Shift in the Cycling Landscape
Beyond the immediate implications for the Tour de France, Lipowitz’s success symbolizes the shifting landscape of professional cycling. The sport has entered a new era where young riders no longer take years to mature. Inspired by the likes of Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel, a new generation is challenging tradition by winning big races in their early twenties.
Lipowitz is now part of that wave. His podium at the Dauphiné places him firmly among the next line of stars expected to shape the sport over the next decade. For Germany, it revives the dream of seeing one of their own fight for yellow in Paris.
Fans’ Euphoria
Back in Laichingen, the news of Lipowitz’s achievement has sparked celebrations. Local cycling clubs, where he once trained as a teenager, organized watch parties during the Dauphiné. After his podium was confirmed, social media erupted with messages of pride and excitement.
German fans, long starved of GC success, flooded cycling forums and platforms with tributes. “Finally, a German climber who can fight with the best!” wrote one supporter. Another commented: “Lipowitz is our future. Ullrich inspired a generation — now it’s Florian’s turn.”
Looking Ahead
As the dust settles on the Dauphiné, the road ahead for Lipowitz is both promising and challenging. The Tour de France will be the next major test, followed by potential appearances in the Vuelta a España. His development will need careful management, but his foundation looks solid: climbing talent, resilience, tactical intelligence, and the support of a strong team.
Whether he becomes a Grand Tour winner or a perennial podium contender remains to be seen. What is certain is that the world of cycling has found a new name to remember: Florian Lipowitz, the young German who conquered the Dauphiné mountains and announced himself to the world.
Conclusion
Florian Lipowitz’s third-place finish at the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné is more than just a personal milestone. It is a landmark moment for German cycling, a statement that the nation once again has a rider capable of competing with the very best in stage races.
The Dauphiné has given the sport a new storyline: the rise of a climber from Laichingen who defied expectations and now stands on the cusp of greatness. As the Tour de France looms, all eyes will be on Lipowitz — a young man with the Alps in his legs, the future in his hands, and the dreams of a nation on his shoulders.
