Cycling: A lot has happened at Bora – hansgrohe in the last few months. After signing Primoz Roglic, a major sponsor, Red Bull, has now joined the team. Can the Raubling racing team close the gap to the absolute top teams?
 |
 |
Red Bull – Bora – hansgrohe 2024: From #10 to #5
In the UCI team rankings, the changes made by the Bora – hansgrohe team last winter have already paid off. The Raubling racing team has climbed from tenth place to fifth place. They are now ahead of Ineos Grenadiers in the world team rankings. Despite this fact and the Vuelta victory of Primois Roglic However, you will not be completely satisfied. The major attack on the overall victory in the Tour de France failed – and the gap between star signing Roglic and the top three in the world has actually grown even larger. With a total of eight victories this season, however, you can still speak of a successful transfer. Added to this is the terrific development of Florian Lipowitz, who is developing into a GC rider and has already won the Sibiu Cycling Tour in the 2024 season, finished third overall in the Tour de Romandie and has always been an excellent helper for his captains. The signing of Daniel Martinez must be rated absolutely positively. The Colombian finished second overall in the Giro d'Italia and was only defeated by the all-powerful Tadej Pogacar.
Figureheads leave the team
Ralph Denk has succeeded in gradually turning Team NetApp, founded in 2010, into a world-class team. Over many years, small steps were taken forward until they finally reached the top. With the entry of Red Bull, another step has now been taken. How big this step will be and how sustainable it ultimately is depends not only on the money but above all on the right decisions. This winter, the company is parting ways with, among others, Emanuel Buchmann, Lennard Kämna and Maximilian Schachmann, who have shaped this team for years and were the flagships. Sergio Higuita, Bob Jungels and Mark Haller are leaving the team. A big loss, you would think. But if we look at the list of newcomers, we see that Red Bull – Bora – hansgrohe is probably even getting stronger.
How big will Red Bull’s major attack be?
With Jan Tratnik and Gianni moscon Two old hands have been brought into the squad who can offer their help at classics and major national tours. Maxim van Gils could as well as Finn Fisher Black in hilly one-day races. Laurence Pithie is a mega talent on cobblestones, where Oier Lazkano has already done well. The Spaniard has recently even shown his qualities in the mountains. The list of newcomers is completed by Giulio Pellizzari and the brothers Mick van Dijke and Tim van Dijke. These riders - as different as they may be - have one thing in common: They are talented. And they are young. Red Bull - Bora - hansgrohe is not only focusing on potential, but also on existing skills. All of the riders mentioned have already shown what they are capable of. And if the numerous rumors in the paddock are to be believed, the next superstar could be joining the team next winter.