Inside Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe – Tour de France Podcast (English Version)

Inside Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe – Tour de France Podcast (English Version)

By Tobias Ruf, Korbinian Sautter, OVB PodcastSports
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Inside Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe – Tour de France Podcast (English Version) episodes

  • Stage 2: "We would have liked to win, but we are completely on track"

    In the current edition, Denk reports on the second stage of the 2026 Tour de France. "It was a really tough race from the very first minute. We would have liked to win, but we got our team leaders through safely. We are completely on track with both of them," says the 52-year-old.

    The day was somewhat dampened by a crash involving Maxim van Gils. "He crashed at the beginning of the stage and was actually planned to be a key helper for the finale. He is a bit banged up, missing some skin around the knee area. Everything is fine so far, but nobody has ever improved because of a crash," Denk says.

    The final part covers the third stage, which will be ridden on Monday. 196 kilometers must be covered between Granollers and Les Angles. "Tomorrow is definitely not a stage to catch your breath. For me, there are two scenarios. Either we see the first breakaway group make it through, or the general classification contenders will battle it out for the stage win. I don't want to make a definitive call on that; both are possible," Denk concludes.

    Photo: IMAGO / Photo News

    17 min
  • Stage 1: "Not the end of the world – But the homogeneity could have been better"
    In the current edition, Denk reports on the first stage of the 2026 Tour de France. "The mood in the team is good. Winning the stage was the goal, but the result is certainly not the end of the world," says the 52-year-old, adding:
    "The team's homogeneity could have been a bit better, and we had already lost twelve seconds by the first intermediate time check. However, we managed to hold that gap, and Remco rode a sensational race over the last two kilometers," Denk says. Florian Lipowitz is currently in eighth place in the general classification. "Florian also delivered a great performance today. The 35 seconds he lost, though, are a bit more than we had hoped for," Denk evaluates. Additionally, the team manager provides detailed insights into the tactical and equipment-related challenges of a team time trial.
    The final section focuses on the second stage, which will be ridden on Sunday. A distance of 168.5 kilometers must be covered between Tarragona and Barcelona. "We know the route well from the Volta a Catalunya. I expect a very hectic race and strongly assume that the general classification contenders will battle it out for the win," Denk concludes.
    Photo: IMAGO / Photo News
    19 min
  • Preview Part 2 - "We have the best time trialist in the world, of course we want to win"

    In the second part of the 2026 Tour de France preview, team manager Ralph Denk first looks at the race route. "It is a very balanced and tough Tour de France. I particularly like the start in a major metropolis, and the finish is also very well designed," says the 52-year-old.

    The focus then shifts to Saturday's opening stage. A team time trial is scheduled in Barcelona, where the fastest individual time will serve as the benchmark for the stage win. Denk looks ahead to the start of the Tour with confidence. "With Remco Evenepoel, we have the best time trialist in the world in our team. Of course we want to win in Barcelona," Denk emphasizes.

    In the final section, he discusses the favorites for the overall victory, with the superstar of cycling standing out. "Tadej Pogacar is the absolute favorite. In a man-to-man duel, under normal circumstances, he cannot be beaten. The battle for the podium in Paris is anything but a given. It's going to be extremely exciting," Denk concludes.

    Photo: IMAGO / Belga

    22 min
  • Preview Part 1 - "They will complement each other well – but the day will come"

    The first part of the 2026 Tour de France preview focuses on Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. Team manager Ralph Denk first looks back on the season so far. "We’ve had a very successful season up to this point and are currently second in the world rankings. It’s good to already have some success under our belt before the Tour," says the 52-year-old.

    The second part centers on the roster for the 2026 Tour de France. Denk explains the roles of the eight riders, with the spotlight on the dual leadership of Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz. "They are co-captains with equal status. We are convinced they will complement each other very well. But of course, the day will eventually come when one feels better than the other. Then we’ll have to see how the race unfolds. But fundamentally, they are on equal footing," Denk explains.

    "We want to finish on the podium in the general classification. And my big wish is to win a stage," Denk concludes.

    Foto: IMAGO / Belga

    25 min
  • Special Tour 2026 Episode: "We're Still Missing One Jersey"

    We are back! And we have a special episode of Inside Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe for you. Shortly before the Tour de France roster announcement, we talk with Bora boss Willi Bruckbauer and team manager Ralph Denk about the upcoming edition.

    This episode is not just about the Tour itself, but also about the special relationship between these long-time companions. Ralph and Willi have known each other for 40 years, were active cyclists themselves, and have been working together for 13 years on the cycling team's success.

    Find out in this episode how the two met, what they experienced together, and what impact the entry of Red Bull has.

    30 min
  • Finale: "It was incredibly tough – but a true milestone"
    In the final edition covering the 2025 Tour, Denk reports on the last stage in Paris. “The images were spectacular, no doubt about that. Still, I’m more of a fan of the traditional Paris finish – and many riders told me the same,” says the 51-year-old.
    The team’s mood at the closing celebration was cheerful, as Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe looks back on a successful Tour de France.
    “It was an incredibly tough time. The Tour keeps growing, which increases the pressure and makes the racing even faster,” Denk analyzes.
    In the middle section, Denk reflects on the 2025 Tour de France, focusing on Lipowitz, the overall team performance, and the winner, Tadej Pogacar.
    “We’ve never made it to the podium in Paris before. This Tour is a true milestone for us,” says Denk.
    The final part addresses Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe’s season plans.
    “Our Vuelta roster isn’t finalized yet, and there are still some important races to come. But Lipowitz won’t ride the Spanish Grand Tour,” Denk concludes.
    The original version of this podcast was recorded in German and translated with the help of artificial intelligence. OVB Media accepts no liability for any translation errors.
    Photo: IMAGO/Jan De Meuleneir
    29 min
  • Stage 20: "Paris could be a real battlefield"
    In the current issue, Denk reports on stage 20 of the 2025 Tour de France, where the team did everything it could to secure Florian Lipowitz’s third place.
    “Today was pure stress again,” says Denk, who already “had a bad feeling” at the start.
    “Many riders were well warmed up to launch early attacks, so we saw lots of breakaway groups, and it turned into a really tough race — thankfully, we came through it well.”
    The background section takes a closer look at the state of German cycling. Denk explains how Germany compares to other nations, how young talent is developing, and how the German element is integrated into his own team.
    This year, the final stage into Paris won’t be one for the pure sprinters. The new route is challenging: first, the peloton completes four traditional laps on the Champs-Élysées, then the race continues on a 16-kilometer circuit featuring three climbs up Montmartre — each classified as a mountain point.
    “Paris could turn into carnage — or everyone might just roll over that final climb together. We have to be ready for anything,” says Denk.
    The original version of this podcast was recorded in German and translated with the help of artificial intelligence. OVB Media accepts no liability for any translation errors.
    photo: IMAGO/Vincent Kalut
    18 min
  • Stage 19: "It was very emotional for the whole team"
    In the current issue, Denk reports on stage 19 of the 2025 Tour de France, where Florian Lipowitz secured a podium finish in the mountains.
    “It was very emotional for the whole team,” says Denk, referring to the final two kilometers. “He has nerves of steel and did a fantastic job.”
    Stage 20 returns to hilly terrain. Over the 184 kilometers to Pontarlier, there shouldn’t be major changes in the general classification — or will there be?
    “It was important to extend the lead, especially in light of the altered stage route in Paris. Tomorrow I expect a breakaway group of 5 to 10 riders fighting for the stage win,” says Denk.
    The original version of this podcast was recorded in German and translated with the help of artificial intelligence. OVB Media accepts no liability for any translation errors.
    photo: IMAGO/JASPER JACOBS
    12 min
  • Stage 18: "We took a risk – no blame on Florian!"
    In the latest episode, Denk talks about Stage 18 of the 2025 Tour de France. “The result doesn’t look good on paper. On the other hand, we could have even won the stage today. We want to offer exciting cycling – and we did that today,” says the 51-year-old.
    In the general classification, Lipowitz now holds only a 22-second lead over Oscar Onley, raising questions about Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe’s tactics. “We underestimated the race situation a bit – things didn’t go ideally. But that’s cycling; you can’t plan everything. Had we won, we would’ve been heroes. Now the result isn’t great,” Denk analyzes.
    He explicitly defends his protégé Lipowitz: “We took a risk, and it could have worked. Florian felt good and went for it. If you don’t try, you can’t win. So no blame on him,” the team manager adds.
    In the final part, the focus shifts to Friday’s Stage 19. Right after the queen stage, the second part of the spectacular climbing show in the Alps is on the schedule. “We don’t have a concrete plan yet, but I can imagine we’ll take a more conservative approach and keep a close eye on Onley,” Denk concludes.
    The original version of this podcast was recorded in German and translated with the help of artificial intelligence. OVB Media accepts no liability for any translation errors.
    Photo: IMAGO/Luca Bettini
    20 min
  • Stage 17: “Jordi is really frustrated – the victory was within reach”
    In the latest edition, Denk reflects on Stage 17 of the 2025 Tour de France. “The stage win was within reach today. Jordi waited just a tick too long in the final sprint, the top speed was there. He’s really frustrated that it didn’t work out,” said the 51-year-old.
    Before the stage, Danny van Poppel left the race as he became a father for the first time. “Danny witnessed the birth via FaceTime last night. We discussed it and decided he should be with his family,” Denk explains.
    Behind the scenes, the focus is on youth development. Denk outlines how talent development is structured at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, how they work with young athletes, and how they aim to inspire the younger generation to take up cycling.
    The final part of the report looks ahead to Stage 18, which takes place on Thursday. The queen stage starts in Vif and covers 171.5 kilometers and 5,450 meters of elevation gain, finishing at the ski resort of Courchevel. The final climb, the Col de la Loze, is over 26 kilometers long with an average gradient of 6.5 percent. In total, the riders will face three climbs of the highest category, including the summit finish.
    “I expect tomorrow’s stage to be decided by the group of favorites. Our strategy is clear — we want to defend our positions in the general classification,” Denk concludes.
    The original version of this podcast was recorded in German and translated with the help of artificial intelligence. OVB Media accepts no liability for any translation errors.
    Photo: IMAGO/Jan De Meuleneir
    21 min

About Inside Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe – Tour de France Podcast (English Version)

From the publisher's feed

The podcast “Inside Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe” from ovb-online.de offers exclusive insights into the German cycling team Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe at the Tour de France. Every day, team manager Ralph Denk looks back on the stage and shares behind-the-scenes perspectives on professional cycling. The episode wraps up with a preview of the next stage.