FLORIAN LIPOWITZ
GERMANY, RED BULL – BORA – HANSGROHE Tour results: 3rd in 2025
★ ★ ★
STRENGTHS: The German doesn’ t make any waves when racing. But his impressive consistency enables him to earn very impressive results. A very strong rouleur, he constantly paces himself on the climbs, which allows him to deal with very rapid bursts of speed from his rivals. His partnership with Remco Evenepoel could be spectacular, provided they share the workload effectively.
OSCAR ONLEY
GREAT BRITAIN, NETCOMPANY-INEOS CYCLING TEAM Tour results: 4th in 2025
★ ★ ★
STRENGTHS: The Scot’ s fourth place finish at the Tour last July came as a surprise, as the general classification wasn’ t part of the original plan for this punchy racer. His progress in the high mountains has been spectacular.
WEAKNESSES: An average time triallist, he lost two minutes to Evenepoel at Caen last year. He’ ll need to shake off his wait-and-see approach and take risks in order to finish on the podium.
ISAAC DEL TORO
M E X I C O, UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG Tour results: first appearance
★ ★ ★
STRENGTHS: A top-class support rider for Pogačar, he’ s also a backup leader, a role that he filled a year ago at the Giro( 2nd) and which he’ s confirmed this season by winning the UAE Tour and Tirreno-Adriatico. While very punchy, the Mexican proved in the UAE that he can deal with long climbs without burning himself out.
WEAKNESSES: Although he seems to handle stressful situations better since his setback on the slopes of the Finestre at the 2025 Giro, Del Toro still lacks experience in three-week races, which could be more evident given the intense pressure and high expectations he’ ll face on his Tour debut. Even though he’ s likely to be restrained by his role as a domestique, it’ s not out of the question that he could finish on the final podium in Paris.
PHOTOGRAPHS: CHARLY LOPEZ / ASO, BILLY CEUSTERS / ASO, JENNIFER LINDINI / ASO, LUC CLAESSEN / GETTY IMAGES
WEAKNESSES: The former biathlete isn’ t an explosive racer. Blessed with very limited punch and sprinting speed, he’ s not a good bet in a small-group finish. These shortcomings partly explain his paltry victory tally( only three). He may be forced to fight for the final step on the podium once again.
PAUL SEIXAS
FRANCE, DECATHLON CMA CGM TEAM Tour results: first appearance
★ ★ ★
STRENGTHS: He’ s France’ s new rising star. A hugely talented climber, the rider from Lyon is also a brilliant time triallist and descender. His comfortable victory in the Basque Country in April was extremely promising.
WEAKNESSES: At 19, Seixas will be the star attraction on his first Tour. There’ ll be intense pressure from the media and the public, but the youngster seems to have no fears despite his lack of experience.
2025 TOUR DE FRANCE | 21