Champagne at Red Bull – Bora hansgrohe, Remco celebrates and Lipowitz puts aside personal ambitions. The victory achieved by Remco Evenepoel in the fifteenth stage of the Tour de France has not only delivered a prestigious success to the German team, but has strengthened the spirit of a group that now believes more than ever in the Belgian champion's chances to fight for the podium and continue to pile pressure on Tadej Pogacar.

Following his feat on the Plateau de Solaison, where Evenepoel beat Pogacar himself and Isaac Del Toro in a sprint to claim his first victory in a true high mountain stage at the Tour, the team wanted to celebrate the moment with a party organized on Sunday evening, just hours before the second and final rest day.

The most significant moment of the evening came when Evenepoel presented himself in front of his teammates and staff with a bottle of champagne in his hands. At his side, smiling, was CEO Ralph Denk. The Belgian uncorked the bottle to the applause of the team and wanted to thank everyone working alongside him in this Grande Boucle.

«It's a beautiful new experience, and I'm happy to share it with you. It's a wonderful feeling to start the rest day like this. On Tuesday there's another objective, but that can wait a little longer. Thank you all. I'm proud to be able to share this moment with you».

Simple but heartfelt words, greeted by long applause from riders, technicians and mechanics, who celebrated a success capable of giving new energy to the entire group.

The atmosphere within Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe is that of a united team, aware of having found their leader and ready to support him in the final week of the Tour. Confirming the full unity of the group came also the words of Florian Lipowitz. The German, protagonist of a Tour of the highest level, chose without hesitation to set aside his own personal ambitions to work in support of Evenepoel. A stance that perfectly aligns with the team's strategy.

«We need to discuss it with the team, but I'm open to anything. Remco has proven he can follow Tadej Pogacar, and his specialty will be Tuesday's time trial».

Lipowitz reiterated how his teammate's success has further strengthened the team's conviction. «We'll prepare a plan for the final week and I'd like to contribute my part. In any case, this stage victory is a great success for our team».

The German then emphasized how Evenepoel's feat has also eased internal pressure.  «Our objective has always been the general classification, but this victory takes a lot of pressure off us. It was impressive to see Remco at this level».

Finally, the most important message, one that concerns not the individual but the interests of the entire team. «We want someone on the podium. And I'd be happy if I could contribute to this result».

With the celebrations archived, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe's focus is already on Tuesday's time trial, one of the key appointments of the final week of the Tour. Evenepoel starts as the favorite. Olympic champion and world champion in the discipline, the Belgian has the opportunity to gain ground on Pogacar and consolidate second place in the general classification, while also increasing his margin over Isaac Del Toro and other podium rivals.

The victory on the Plateau de Solaison has proven that Evenepoel is no longer just an extraordinary time trialist, but a rider capable of staying with Pogacar even on the hardest climbs, one of the aspects for which he had received the most criticism in recent years. The party organized by Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe was not just the celebration of a stage victory. It was a snapshot of a team that has found unity, enthusiasm and confidence in their leader.

Evenepoel's toast, the applause from the staff and Lipowitz's words tell the story of a united environment, in which every member seems to have accepted their role with a common objective: to bring the Belgian champion to the podium in Paris and try to pile pressure on the yellow jersey of Tadej Pogacar.