The Evenepoel-Lipowitz Tour de France partnership passes first test in Catalunya

Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz, new teammates at Soudal Quick-Step, successfully navigated their first co-leadership test at the Volta a Catalunya, culminating in a shared podium finish. Evenepoel secured second place overall, just 42 seconds behind Tadej Pogačar, while Lipowitz, in a surprising turn, claimed third, 1:03 back. This significant result marks a promising debut for their partnership, particularly given Lipowitz’s relatively nascent WorldTour career.

This outcome carries considerable weight, especially for Soudal Quick-Step, who have been openly seeking a robust Grand Tour support system for Evenepoel. Lipowitz, previously a domestique, has now demonstrated not only the legs but also the tactical acumen to ride alongside Evenepoel in a co-leadership capacity, particularly in the high mountains. His rapid ascent suggests a potential solution to the team's long-standing challenge of providing Evenepoel with reliable, high-calibre assistance when the road goes steeply uphill, crucial for any serious Tour de France ambitions.

While Pogačar’s dominance was undeniable, the Evenepoel-Lipowitz dynamic offers a glimpse of a potentially formidable pairing. It seems Soudal Quick-Step might finally have found more than just a second fiddle; they may have a genuine duet.