Unexpected move: Florian Lipowitz, the signing that nobody saw coming

At the end of 2026, Florian Lipowitz's contract, a standout podium finisher in the latest edition of the Tour de France, with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe will conclude. Lidl-Trek, in its quest to build a top-tier team, has not hesitated to cast its line and has started to move to incorporate the German cyclist into its ranks for the 2027 season.

Lidl-Trek spares no expense and goes after the signing of Florian Lipowitz

The Belgian newspaper Het Laaste Niewsblad announced Lidl-Trek's interest in signing Florian Lipowitz for the 2027 season when the German finishes his current contract with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe.

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This move clearly shows the ambition of the American team, which already has Mattias Skjelmose and the recent addition of Juan Ayuso as major bets for the tours, and with the addition of Florian Lipowitz, would significantly raise their level.

The proposal to attract him involves providing guarantees of leadership and a calendar fully tailored to his liking, something that could potentially create tensions within the team. In fact, Skjelmose already made his territory clear before Ayuso's arrival with statements saying, “I don’t think he’s coming to be a domestique,” in a clear allusion to the presumed lack of camaraderie from the Alicante rider that led to his departure from UAE.

The arrival of Florian Lipowitz would represent another point of friction in determining who takes the lead when the major events of the calendar arrive.

However, according to some media reports, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe may have already taken action in response to Lidl-Trek's interest and has begun negotiating the renewal of one of its best cyclists, although it remains to be seen within the German team what his position will be after Remco Evenepoel joins the roster, which will undoubtedly mean he may not enjoy the same freedom and prominence that Florian Lipowitz had in the 2025 season.