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

Tobias Ruf, Korbinian Sautter, OVB Podcast

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. 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.

  1. 6d ago

    Review - "My personal goal remains: I want to win the Tour"

    In the current edition, Denk first reports on the 21st and final stage of the 2026 Tour de France. "The images and the race result were impressive. That was pure cycling. We should discuss using this format more often at the Tour and replacing one or two flat stages with it," says the 52-year-old. The team manager then looks back on the 2026 Tour de France. "It was my 13th Tour de France. We’ve already been able to celebrate many good overall results, such as third place with Florian Lipowitz last year. Now we finished second with Remco, which makes us very happy. But my personal goal remains clear: I want to win the Tour de France one day," says a satisfied Denk. Despite the most successful Tour of his long managerial career, there is a tinge of regret. "I missed Florian Lipowitz yesterday. I felt terribly sorry for him. In my opinion, he would have been a clear candidate for the podium, and with him, we most likely would have won the team classification. I hope he comes back stronger and will be able to start at the World Championships," Denk emphasizes. The final section focuses on roster planning and the second half of the season. "We will most likely bring up four rookies from the U23 squad to the professional team. That's a number that makes me very proud," says Denk. Primož Roglič, on the other hand, will be leaving the team. "We will give it everything once more to fight for victory at the Vuelta with him. We are very grateful to him for his time with our team. He won three important stage races for us with the Vuelta, the Volta a Catalunya, and the Critérium du Dauphiné. Primož is a great champion to me and was a vital add-on to the entire project," Denk concludes. Photo: IMAGO / Sirotti

  2. Jul 26

    Stage 21: “An Incredible Spectacle – Pogacar Is Beatable After All”

    The current episode begins with the 21st and final stage of the 2026 Tour de France. “A spectacular finale – it had everything: a Pogacar at his limit, the sprinters fighting back, and an incredible Van der Poel,” is how the hosts sum it up. The Dutchman claims the stage victory he had dreamed of a year earlier, when he missed out on the finale. Sautter and Ruf then look back on the 2026 Tour de France. The episode is structured around five categories: the biggest surprises and disappointments, the most defining stage, the moments that will be remembered, and the things that could be left behind. “Evenepoel’s climbing performance surprised me enormously,” says Ruf, suggesting that the Belgian now has the potential for even greater achievements. “He has put himself in a position where he could win the Tour one day.” But many other remarkable stories also stood out to the podcast hosts, from Florian Lipowitz’s dramatic withdrawal and the Norwegian sensation of Torstein Træen wearing the yellow jersey to the sprinting strength of Max Kanter. The 2026 Tour de France comes to an end for the Inside Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe podcast with a special review episode on Monday, when team manager Ralph Denk reflects on the past three weeks. (Source: ovb-online.de, kos, truf) Photo: Imago/Foto News

    Stage 21: “An Incredible Spectacle – Pogacar Is Beatable After All”

  3. Jul 25

    Stage 20: "We could have taken more risks for the stage victory"

    In the latest edition, Denk reflects on Stage 20 of the 2026 Tour de France. “We’re extremely happy with the stage. The whole team did a fantastic job,” says the 52-year-old. “You can debate whether we should have brought Jai Hindley back earlier or whether Remco should have attacked sooner. But our primary objective was to secure second place in the overall classification. We could have taken more risks to go for the stage win. We probably would have done so if we hadn’t already had two stage victories in the bag,” the team manager emphasizes. Asked whether Evenepoel is currently in the best form of his career, Denk replies with a clear “Yes,” adding: “He already finished third in the Tour two years ago. But cycling has evolved tremendously. With the level of performance he showed two years ago, he wouldn’t be standing on the podium today.” The feature segment focuses on the closing celebration in Paris, where Denk shares details about the team’s party at the end of the Tour de France. The final part looks ahead to Stage 21, which will be raced on Sunday. The riders will cover 89 kilometers around Paris. “Remco became Olympic champion on a very similar circuit. But tomorrow, our approach will once again be to get through the stage safely. If an opportunity arises to fight for the stage victory, we’ll take it,” Denk concludes.

  4. Jul 24

    Stage 19: "Remco was really held up – there could have been even more in it"

    A monument in cycling: The mountain finish at Alpe d’Huez – Part 1. This year, the myth is on the schedule twice. Stage 19 was all about the first victory on the famous summit. After the 21 switchbacks, Tadej Pogačar won. "Chapeau to him. That was really, really fast right from the start," says Ralph Denk, team manager of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. The top priority for his team was securing the podium for Remco Evenepoel. This was successful, even though the Belgian was slowed down during his attack. "Remco was really held up – there could have been even more in it," said Denk. Accordingly, the top rider did not know exactly where the barriers began and therefore had to accelerate twice to distance his competitors. Tomorrow, Alpe d’Huez will be ridden again. This time from the other side, including the Col de Galibier. It won't be any easier. "The climb from the other side is significantly narrower. I'm curious to see how the organizers will solve this," says the team manager, who sees the massive effort for the organization and his team. "As beautiful as this cycling festival is here, logistically it's a horror," Denk says, reporting on long queues of trucks fighting their way through the mountains. Photo: Imago/Foto News

    Stage 19: "Remco was really held up – there could have been even more in it"

  5. Jul 23

    Stage 18: "We are happy with the day – tomorrow will be a fierce battle"

    In the current episode, Denk reports on Stage 18 of the 2026 Tour de France. "The mood in the team is good. That was a very good race from us. Our strategy was to wear out our rivals for the podium to a certain extent. That paid off, we are happy with the day," says the 52-year-old. A wave of illness is sweeping through Pogačar's team, and Denk empathizes. "It's tough when you have to go into the final days so weakened," the team manager emphasizes. However, it has little impact on Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe's tactics. "We aren't the ones who have to make the race hard. Catching up more than four minutes on Pogačar is unrealistic." The background topic focuses on safety in cycling. Denk discusses catch nets on descents, specialized crash training, and how courses and riders' equipment could be made safer. The final part covers Stage 19, which will be ridden on Thursday. 128 kilometers must be covered between Gap and Alpe d’Huez. "Tomorrow, I expect a fierce battle for the podium on this prestigious stage. We will put Remco in position, but in the end, the team leaders will be on their own," Denk concludes. Photo: IMAGO / Photo News

  6. Jul 22

    Stage 17: "That was pure chaos today – and in the end too hard for Nico"

    In the current episode, Denk reports on Stage 17 of the Tour de France 2026. "That was pure chaos today. A lot of different interests collided at once. It was about the Green Jersey, and many teams still have nothing to show for themselves," says the 52-year-old. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe was represented in the breakaway by two riders. "Nico Denz had a free hand, but in the end, it was too hard for him up front. Jai Hindley had more of a watchdog role. You have to show presence in these large groups and not get put on the defensive," emphasizes the team manager. Florian Lipowitz has already undergone surgery after breaking his collarbone, and Denk provides an update here as well. "Considering the circumstances, he is doing very well. I spoke with him this morning. The disappointment is huge, but he made a calm impression on me and even showed a bit of gallows humor. He is not the first protagonist to leave the Tour de France this way, and certainly not the last." In the background segment, Denk answers various listener questions. Topics include UV protection during stages, the Deutschland Tour in August, a potential Tour start in Berlin in 2029, and TV radio broadcast graphics. The final section focuses on Stage 18, which will be ridden on Thursday. 185 kilometers must be covered between Voiron and Orcières-Merlette. "I don't think the general classification riders will put all their cards on the table tomorrow. We would be wise to take a wait-and-see approach at first," concludes Denk. Photo: IMAGO / Sirotti

    Stage 17: "That was pure chaos today – and in the end too hard for Nico"

  7. Jul 21

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

    In the current edition, Denk reports on Stage 16 of the Tour de France 2026. "I feel massively sorry for Florian, but also for Remco. He put in a fantastic time trial, but naturally, we aren't really in a stage-winning mood," says the 52-year-old. Denk assesses Lipowitz's crash in clear terms. "Florian was riding absolutely at the limit, including on the previous descent. He was far too fast in the corner. He went in too optimistically; I don't see anyone else to blame. It's a racing incident in the heat of the moment. When there's something at stake, you have to take risks. In this case, it was too much risk," emphasizes the team manager. Denk has only words of praise for the stage winner. "Remco even beat the simulated times. Technically, he did everything right, and the equipment was spot on too. Congratulations to Remco, this is a great victory for us," says Denk, followed by a clear objective: "Second place in the general classification is now the clear target." The final section covers Stage 17, which will be ridden on Wednesday. A distance of 175 kilometers must be covered between Chambéry and Voiron. "I don't believe in a sprint tomorrow; the route is too tough. I expect a breakaway group," Denk concludes. Photo: Imago/Belga

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

  8. Jul 19

    15th Stage: "A victory for the whole team - it doesn't get any better than this!"

    Remco Evenepoel wins the 15th stage of the Tour de France. The Plateau de Solaison marked the conclusion of the second week of the Tour de France. This time, the tough mountain finish was not for the dominant Tadej Pogačar. Instead, the Belgian from Team Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe was the fastest. "In today's man-to-man battle, he was simply the better rider," says Denk, who describes the success as a victory for the whole team. "It doesn't get any better than this!" An unpleasant scene occurred shortly before the finale. Jonas Vingegaard crashed in a right-hand bend and had to abandon the race. "It looks like a broken collarbone to me. It's a great pity that he has to end the Tour this way," says Denk. Tomorrow is a rest day. On Tuesday, the race continues with a time trial. Despite 400 meters of elevation gain, could this be a specialty for Remco Evenepoel? "He is among the extended circle of favorites," says Denk.

    15th Stage: "A victory for the whole team - it doesn't get any better than this!"
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About

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. 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.

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