The Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe case explodes at the Tour de France: Evenepoel accuses Lipowitz, the shared leadership is already under scrutiny and the two will need to clarify things to maintain team balance.

The peace lasted less than six stages. What was presented on the eve of the Tour de France as a shared leadership, a strength for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, has suddenly turned into a crisis. And it was Remco Evenepoel who triggered the tension, who at the end of the stage featuring the Tourmalet made no attempt to hide his displeasure with his teammate Florian Lipowitz, although the name was not explicitly mentioned.

The Belgian didn't name names, but the recipient of the message was all too clear. The incident that cracked the team's equilibrium occurred during the chase for Jonas Vingegaard in the most heated moments of the sixth stage.

Evenepoel wanted Lipowitz to accompany him to the front of the lead group to allow him to launch the final sprint. An effort of just one kilometer, but one that could have made a difference in the race for bonus seconds and the overall classification. That support, however, never came. When the Belgian got off his bike, disappointment quickly turned to frustration.

Speaking to Sporza and VTM, Evenepoel spoke without filters. "I understand that Sepp Kuss and Isaac Del Toro didn't collaborate. But Lidl-Trek had two riders and they didn't want to attack. I thought: "What do you have to lose?"".

Then came the statement destined to spark debate. "I asked to be brought to the front of the group and I didn't get it. I believe I was right to be angry. At the Volta a Catalunya I stayed at the front for thirty kilometers. Now I'm asking for one kilometer and it's not possible. That really made me angry".

Heavy words that seem to question not just a racing incident, but also the internal hierarchy of the team. A few minutes later, in front of the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe team bus the atmosphere was very different from the smiles of previous days. The riders stopped for photos and autographs with fans, but among staff and journalists it was clear that something had broken.

The first to step in front of the microphones was sports director Zak Dempster, determined to nip any controversy in the bud: "I saw a very strong Lipowitz on the Tourmalet and a brilliant Remco on the descent. We can be optimistic".

When asked if Evenepoel expected more help from the German, the answer was clear. "Everyone behind Remco was at their limit. If Lipowitz could have done more, he would have".

A diplomatic defense, but one that doesn't erase the statements of the Belgian champion. The coexistence between Evenepoel and Lipowitz was one of the big questions at this Tour. Both arrived at the Grande Boucle with significant ambitions and the team had chosen to bet on a dual leadership, convinced it could become a strength over the three weeks of racing.

But the Tour is a machine that amplifies everything. Every second lost, every change of pace, every failed collaboration can turn into a case. And when the team's most media-savvy leader publicly expresses his discontent, it becomes inevitable to wonder if the initial strategy is still sustainable.

Evenepoel left no room for interpretation. "We need to discuss this thoroughly between ourselves".

Dempster also confirmed that a conversation will happen. "They will talk calmly and find an agreement". Reassuring words, at least on the surface.

Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe still has all the cards to play for a podium spot at the Tour de France. Evenepoel is fully in contention, while Lipowitz continues to demonstrate excellent form. For this very reason, internal clarification becomes fundamental.

Great races are won with legs, but also with mutual trust. And that trust, after just six stages, seems to have suffered its first real crack.
The Tour now enters its decisive moment. The mountains wait for no one and, if Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe truly wants to challenge the giants represented by Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, it will need to quickly regain that unity that has been one of its strengths until now.