Overview

• Lipowitz became the first German since 2006 to finish on the Tour de France podium and the first white jersey winner since 1998.
• His performance propelled ARD’s broadcast to an average 13.5 percent market share and peaks up to 27.8 percent, the network’s best Tour ratings since 2015.
• The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and social media criticized ARD’s broad focus on Lipowitz as “lachhaft”, prompting the network’s on-air defense.
• Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s post on platform X congratulated Lipowitz on his third-place finish, a gesture the rider deemed “crazy” and praised for boosting the sport’s visibility.
• Lipowitz has signaled his intention to compete at the Road World Championships in Rwanda in September and at the Deutschland Tour in August, a push that highlights calls for a dedicated third rider and refined team tactics.