Paris-Nice 2025 was a test of resilience, teamwork, and climbing prowess for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe. From the first key moments in the team time trial to Florian Lipowitz’s consistent performances in the high mountains, the squad left a strong mark on the race.
An early turning point of the week came in the Stage 3 team time trial, where the squad delivered a strong third-place finish, laying the foundation for a competitive GC campaign. The team handled the technical and rolling course with precision, finishing just 25 seconds down on the stage winners, setting up Florian well for the mountainous stages to come.
Stage 4 saw him rise to the occasion on the first summit finish of the race. On the steep slopes of La Loge des Gardes, he climbed with the best and secured a strong fifth place, elevating himself to fourth in the general classification. The following day, on Stage 5, he again proved his good form, finishing fifth atop the Côte de Notre-Dame-de-Sciez. On the short, sharp gradients, he surprised even himself, crossing the line just six seconds behind the winner and moving up to third overall, while also donning the white jersey as the best young rider.
The ever-unpredictable Stage 6, shaped by crosswinds and grim weather, was a day for survival. Florian showed his growing maturity as a GC contender by positioning himself perfectly, making the key selection, and finishing safely in the front group.
Stage 7, shortened due to poor weather, provided one last test before the finale on Sunday. While the day’s action was largely dominated by the breakaway, Florian managed to steal a few seconds on the other GC contenders on the rain-soaked climb to Auron. His move, though small in time gained, was another sign of his determination to fight until the very end. With that effort, he consolidated his second-place position in the GC, sitting 37 seconds behind race leader Matteo Jorgenson with just one stage remaining.
On the final stage, a hilly 119 km route starting and finishing in Nice, the GC battle was still open, with the Col des Quatre Chemins serving as the decisive climb of the day. Florian put in a solid ride, ultimately finishing in a chase group behind stage winner Sheffield.
Crossing the line in Nice under sunny weather, Florian's consistent racing throughout the week secured second place in the general classification, finishing 1:15 behind overall winner Jorgenson, as well as the white jersey.
Florian Lipowitz:
After my performances last year, I definitely came into this race with some expectations. But to be honest, I never really thought about finishing on the podium. My goal was to fight for a spot in the top 10 of the GC. But as the race went on, I felt stronger each day, and the team did an incredible job positioning me and supporting me throughout. Their trust and hard work made a huge difference. To end up on the podium is something really special - something I didn’t expect but am incredibly proud of.
I knew the weekend would be decisive, but especially after yesterday’s stage, I could feel that I had the legs to climb with the best. If I could hold my form on the final day, the podium was going to become a reality. It was a tough last stage, but I gave everything and was so happy to cross the finish line knowing I had done it.
This result gives me a lot of confidence for sure. It was a tough week with challenging weather conditions, and I’m proud of how I handled it - not just physically, but mentally as well. Managing the stress of the general classification, staying focused, and delivering when it mattered most makes this podium finish even more rewarding.
Patxi Vila:
We can be very happy with Florian’s second place overall. He rode a strong race all week, showing real consistency and determination. The whole team put in a fantastic effort, and we could even see the teamwork improving day by day. On Sunday, we wanted to make the race special, to take our chances, and we can walk away from Paris-Nice knowing we gave it everything. Congratulations to Jorgenson, he proved he was the strongest in the race. But having Lipo on the podium, taking second place and the white jersey, is a great achievement. Overall, a strong Paris-Nice for the team.
Photo: Getty Sport