Stage 16: "He was far too fast in the corner – I feel massively sorry for Florian"

00:00:02: Inside Red Bull Bora Hans Grohe, the podcast from OV Bay online on The Tour de France.

00:00:09: For three weeks we are joining team manager Ralph Denk as he guides the biggest and most successful German cycling team through The Tour De France.

00:00:20: Do you have questions for Ralph Denke?

00:00:22: Send them to tobias.rufeofmedia.de And now enjoy your new episodes!

00:00:32: Remcoe Venepool wins the individual time trial in Tonolespa, Florian Lipowicz has to end his tour de France.

00:00:39: We speak with team manager of Red Bull Boer Hans Grohe about this day which represents joy and sorrow like perhaps no other!

00:00:48: Hello to Franz, to Ralf Denk.

00:00:51: Hello and greetings back to Rosenheim.

00:00:53: Ralf how is Florian doing?

00:00:55: Have you been able?

00:00:57: Since the time trial was from A to B and I was at the start, I said goodbye to Florin and Remko.

00:01:06: And wished them all the best.

00:01:09: but i haven't seen or spoken to him since the crash... ...I know he is on his way to hospital with our medical team.. ..and don't have any more information yet!

00:01:20: Well, he's doing as well can be expected under the circumstances but there is likely more than just skin abrasions.

00:01:29: But I do not want to fuel any speculation here.

00:01:32: we simply don't know yet how he is doing

00:01:35: it.

00:01:35: Considering his circumstances and what he does well means that nothing like a concussion really needs to worry about.

00:01:43: We are talking only about injuries right?

00:01:46: Yes, it is too early to say but you saw the footage on television.

00:01:50: He walked away from the crash site.

00:01:52: he was not carried away.

00:01:54: that is always a good sign.

00:01:56: But as I said i do not want to start any speculation now.

00:01:59: we need test results first and those are still pending.

00:02:03: Exactly!

00:02:04: It's now seven-fifteen.

00:02:05: Is there an idea?

00:02:07: when can expect diagnosis?

00:02:10: yes in the course of evening That will come out So then we will distribute accordingly.

00:02:18: But I feel incredibly sorry for Florian and... ...I also feel sorry for Remco because he rode a brutally strong race, beat Pogacar again!

00:02:30: And there's no real stage-win atmosphere here on our drive back to the hotel on the bus….

00:02:38: …and that is a bit of a shame also for Remko but of course also for Florin that he cannot continue.

00:02:46: Exactly, we will talk about Remco in a moment.

00:02:48: you are currently stuck in traffic?

00:02:50: You told me Rolf where... Where are you exactly?

00:02:53: Yes on the shores of Lake Geneva back to hotel and yes like every day traffic jams just as much apart from Tour de France as cycling itself

00:03:02: Exactly.

00:03:03: Let's talk briefly about Florian's crash, how do you assess it?

00:03:07: His mistake a racing incident that just happens because layout I mean... That corner was quite something.

00:03:14: Florian wasn't the only one who had problems there even The Grandmaster Tadeh Pogacar Had to be extremely careful at this spot.

00:03:24: How did you rate and assess the crash?

00:03:27: Yes, that is correct.

00:03:28: Tadeh Pogacar also worked his magic in the corner and showed great riding skills because otherwise he would have crashed too.

00:03:38: Florian was already riding at this limit.

00:03:41: We naturally had all of the split times and the carefree nineteen year old Paul Seklas who has been considered a downhill prodigy as he comes from cycling course with great bike control was slower on descent than Florian.

00:03:57: That means Florian was already at his limit on the descent before the crash corner, and yes in that corner it was way too fast.

00:04:07: So unfortunately to optimistic of Florian going there I don't see anyone else at fault.

00:04:21: That is a racing accident and the heat of the moment.

00:04:23: When something's at stake, you have to take risks.

00:04:26: in this case he took over too much risk.

00:04:29: Okay let's look at the winner who secured the double.

00:04:34: Let us look at Remko Evernopol.

00:04:36: Yes that was a flawless individual time trial today.

00:04:40: or did you spot any tiny little mistake?

00:04:44: I didn't.

00:04:45: And, uh... we are also with the performance and whole simulation how to approach the race.

00:04:54: he basically beat our simulation a little bit too.

00:04:57: He had great day!

00:04:58: He did everything perfectly from technical standpoint.

00:05:01: The equipment was right.

00:05:03: So big congratulations To Remco for us as well.

00:05:11: Did they do anything differently also regarding the equipment so that he could even beat that simulation?

00:05:18: Did his mindset perhaps play a role after the victory on Sunday.

00:05:23: Yes, of course it was negative to win for such an upcoming time trial.

00:05:28: He received new bike from specialized prototype bike which currently only exists in its size And that is a new time trial bike the next generation.

00:05:42: perhaps that was also deciding factor but as I said, phenomenal race and worthy of an Olympic champion in this discipline.

00:05:54: Exactly!

00:05:55: A runner-up at the Tour de France.

00:06:00: That moment Florian crashes.

00:06:03: do you tell Remco it's Florian?

00:06:06: Do you even tell him that there was a crash?

00:06:09: He came after him, so he should be extra careful.

00:06:12: How does something like this work in the heat of the

00:06:16: moment?".

00:06:25: They say the corner might tighten up a bit more than was expected during the recon.

00:06:37: You don't take full risks, you already have a twenty second lead but you don't tell him that Florian is out.

00:06:46: Remco only found out at finish line showed great gesture there and also quite shaken himself.

00:06:55: What was also a very, very nice gesture in my perception was that Florian when they said goodbye before the race today.

00:07:05: Also wished Ramco good luck once again and it's already an indicator to harmonize well or rather have harmonized.

00:07:15: No, only Remco is left.

00:07:17: but that doesn't just affect Florian who's in the infirmary.

00:07:24: But it really affects the whole team including the riders quite a lot

00:07:28: Yes!

00:07:29: But that harmonious duo we have mentioned at time and again.

00:07:33: you said from start these three extremely tough Alpine stages are coming up now.

00:07:38: That exactly where this harmonious Duo would've been essentially important.

00:07:43: Yes, it is a shame.

00:07:45: As I said the Tour de France continues and tomorrow is a new day!

00:07:50: i also want to mention Mathia Cataneo again today who finished in sixth place.

00:07:55: It was not planned but he finished sixth for us In the time trial And He's in top form.

00:08:00: The whole team must stick together.

00:08:02: now We are one man down.

00:08:05: Tomorrow we continue.

00:08:07: Yes, can you say yet what impact this will have on the team's tactics?

00:08:11: or is it too soon?

00:08:13: Do you have to sit down now and reorganize things because you really didn't plan for something like this.

00:08:21: No, I'm paper.

00:08:21: tomorrow would probably of been uh... The last classic breakaway stage.

00:08:25: but with Florian missing Things Have Changed.

00:08:35: We have to see um how we approach that And Uh..We Will discuss That This Evening.

00:08:40: But or it is still too early for that?

00:08:44: We have not even arrived at the hotel yet.

00:08:47: Exactly, let's look at general classification.

00:08:50: You also said after time trial we would take a closer look.

00:08:54: Sure things are turning out differently than planned but as you say The two difference goes on.

00:09:00: Remco solidifies second place takes half minute from Pogacar But he was able to significantly extend his lead over Del Toro and Sechaas.

00:09:11: That is two minutes twenty on Del Toro, two minutes forty roughly.

00:09:16: Can we now say that second place is the clear goal?

00:09:21: Yes definitely and...that will be hard enough because the mountains are very high in long counts.

00:09:28: there'll a better fight from an Isaac del Toro or Paul Sechaas.

00:09:35: Jonah Yusso is on a bit of a downward trend.

00:09:39: I don't really see him in the game anymore, but those two including Remco right now... ...I unfortunately only see three riders for two podium spots and that will still be hard piece of work for Remco to end for us on the team.

00:09:59: Exactly Ralph!

00:10:00: A topic that keeps coming up are the doping controls.

00:10:04: You are also tested on the rest day.

00:10:07: At around ten

00:10:07: p.m.,

00:10:08: they were at your hotel?

00:10:10: Is that procedure still

00:10:11: acceptable?".

00:10:13: Yes, as I said... The regulations allow for checks to be carried out around the clock and at ten o'clock at night.

00:10:23: Well one person might have already closed their eyes a bit but not much has happened yet.

00:10:28: And well these are blood tests.

00:10:30: They're over relatively quickly.

00:10:33: Don't have to wait until someone needs to go the bathroom.

00:10:39: The blood is just drawn and that's done quickly.

00:10:44: so it was not a big deal.

00:10:47: And you can see here, It has taken very seriously because our sixth place finisher Mathia Cataneo had checks again right at the finish today.

00:10:59: So twenty four hours two checks

00:11:02: Now.

00:11:03: of course there are graphics, opinions that draw a direct comparison.

00:11:07: Vingegard is tested at night, Crashers has to leave the tour, Florian is tested, Crashes have left the tour.

00:11:15: but from what I'm hearing now you can't take it as reason and say maybe this little bit was missing

00:11:23: in our case, one hundred percent not.

00:11:25: In my opinion there is no connection and regarding the finger guard case I am too far removed from that.

00:11:33: i also have two few details to be able to evaluate it.

00:11:37: What's the mood like on site?

00:11:39: Regarding this topic... It is on everyone's lips right now.

00:11:42: Likip reports that a Paris court even ordered these night time checks.

00:11:47: Yes!

00:11:48: I can imagine that this causes certain amount of unrest or does look different within the inner circle of the two difference and everyone remains very calm.

00:11:57: Well, I can only speak for our team.

00:11:59: we are relaxed and support the whole thing because we do have a dark history in cycling.

00:12:06: We need that.

00:12:07: or rather yeah...we can no longer sugar coat it.

00:12:10: And I also said at the beginning in some interview that cycling is the most closely monitored sport.

00:12:18: There are other endurance sports who struggle to match cycling and very few people know these tests themselves.

00:12:31: That means the teams, the racers and the organizers pay into a pool so that exactly these checks like the ones we had yesterday or today can take place.

00:12:43: It is a fund worth millions And this money was used for those cheques which are completely normal to us.

00:12:53: As I said you have two tests because you want to have credible sport too.

00:12:58: Okay, thank you.

00:12:58: So we are already looking ahead to tomorrow.

00:13:01: I had prepared listener questions.

00:13:03: Please forgive us so much has happened today and the connection in traffic around Lake Geneva is not the best.

00:13:11: Let's look at Wednesday.

00:13:13: It starts at one twenty

00:13:14: p.m.,

00:13:15: with arrival expected around five fifteen p. m.. it goes from Shambhuri to Varan covering one hundred seventy-five kilometers.

00:13:24: Yes, it starts turbulently.

00:13:26: four mountain climbs three category for one category Three but they are all in the first third breakaway or sprint.

00:13:34: What is your feeling?

00:13:36: I do not believe in a spring tomorrow.

00:13:38: First, the course is too hard and we are in the third week.

00:13:42: The rider's strength is fading which for me it also a big indicator that Tim Malier who won three stages here from Sudal Quickstep Is no longer on the race.

00:13:54: He has dropped out.

00:13:55: That means team will be missing to control the race as well And there still so many teams hear that haven't one stage and don't have sprinter.

00:14:07: That means in my opinion the winner will most likely come from a breakaway group tomorrow.

00:14:26: We always want to win sprints and a Tour de France stage is something special.

00:14:32: but we have completely new situation now with Florian dropping out today.

00:14:39: So, we will assess the situations this evening decide what do tomorrow then discuss that with the riders as well.

00:14:49: No decision would be made in next few hours

00:14:55: Exactly, but in just under twenty four hours.

00:14:58: we will know more then.

00:14:59: We'll talk about the seventeenth stage Ralph if opportunity arises.

00:15:03: I have also already received messages on behalf of many Many of our listeners.

00:15:09: All the best and a speedy recovery to Florian Lippewitz.

00:15:12: Congratulations, which must not be overlooked!

00:15:15: On the second stage win in a row with an incredibly strong performance by Remco Evernipol.

00:15:20: have a safe trip home despite the traffic.

00:15:23: Thank you for today And we will talk again tomorrow.

00:15:27: My pleasure and best regards.

00:15:29: Have a good evening back in Rosenheim.

00:15:30: That was the latest edition of Inside Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe the podcast from OFUB online on The Tour de France.

00:15:40: You can find the podcasts of all common podcatchers and on the websites of OFUBI Media & IPIN Media.

00:15:48: Thanks for listening, see you in next episode!