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