Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have revealed a striking new kit for the 2025 Tour de France, designed by Specialized and inspired by the French national football team. The predominantly white jersey features a fade of red and blue stripes across the chest, paired with bright blue shorts. The tricolour theme references the French flag and, more specifically, recalls the style of the 2006 World Cup kit worn by France in their run to the final in Germany.
According to Specialized, the design is intended as a tribute to the country, the fans, and the iconic roads that define the Tour. The gradient effect is said to reflect the landscapes of France, from cobbled streets in the north to the high peaks of the Alps and the Parisian finish. It’s a clear nod to the race’s place in the national identity, and a bold move away from the team’s darker, more understated look of recent seasons.
The new kit will be worn by Primož Roglič and his teammates as they attempt to put together a consistent three-week performance. The Slovenian returns to the Tour for the first time since 2022, still looking to conquer the race that slipped through his fingers in 2020. Since that defeat on La Planche des Belles Filles, Roglič hasn’t completed a Tour de France. His most recent Grand Tour ended in abandonment at the Giro after multiple crashes.
While he might not be among the top betting favourites heading into this year’s race, the belief inside the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe camp remains intact. Rolf Aldag, the team’s chief of sports, confirmed that the entire campaign was built around giving Roglič the best chance possible. He stated that five of the eight riders in the team are tasked with protecting Roglič and the two other climbers through the opening half of the race. The first ten days are relatively flat and punchy, and with the high mountains only beginning around Bastille Day, the focus is on staying safe and limiting risk.
The squad backing Roglič reflects that strategy. Florian Lipowitz and Aleksandr Vlasov will support him in the mountains, while Laurence Pithie, Jordi Meeus, Mick van Dijk, Danny van Poppel and Gianni Moscon will handle positioning and protection on the flat. Lipowitz, who finished on the podium at the Critérium du Dauphiné, comes into the race in strong form. Vlasov adds valuable experience in stage racing. The rest of the team is built from a mixture of lead-out strength, engine room power and technical savvy, all tailored to navigate the chaotic opening week.
Aldag underlined that preparation has been meticulous, with every stage analysed and simulated. The goal is to deliver Roglič to the Pyrenees without mishap. He admitted that once the race hits the high mountains, it will be up to individual class. There’s a clear recognition that UAE Team Emirates and Visma-Lease a Bike will control those stages, so Red Bull’s role is to stay in contention and capitalise if the opportunity arises.
The team’s Tour build-up has been deliberately low-key. Roglič has trained in Tignes, staying largely out of the spotlight while his rivals faced scrutiny at the Dauphiné. Aldag explained that Roglič was accompanied by staff, including a coach, chef, physio, and nutritionist, while also spending time with his family. The aim was to arrive fresh, focused, and well-prepared, rather than overexposed.
Photo Credit: GettyAldag sees Roglič’s ability to bounce back as one of his defining qualities. After all, each of his last three Grand Tour victories came following an abandonment in the previous race. He noted that Roglič has a unique way of processing disappointment, living out his mantra that sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. That calm detachment has allowed him to move on quickly from setbacks and prepare again.
He also pushed back against the idea that Roglič is out of contention. While he may not top the odds boards, Aldag said the peloton won’t underestimate him. He suggested that if Roglič tries to go in a breakaway, the bunch will panic, just as it would with the other main contenders. He’s still viewed as a threat from inside the race, even if the headlines have shifted elsewhere.
There’s realism too. Aldag acknowledged that the sport has evolved rapidly and that levels across the peloton have changed. But he maintained that Roglič is on the same level that saw him win the Vuelta last year. The Giro abandonment may have been a setback, but it was followed by solid training at altitude, and physically and mentally, Aldag said, he’s ready.
Red Bull’s move away from Tour control duties means their tactical role will likely be passive until the decisive stages. Aldag said it plainly – they don’t need to drive the race in the mountains when others will. The key is to get to the high mountain finishes intact and then let the legs do the talking.
Whether that’s enough to finally deliver Roglič to Paris remains to be seen. He hasn’t reached the Champs-Élysées in five years, but he’s once again back in the mix, armed with a fresh jersey, a loyal team, and the one quality that’s defined his career above all – the ability to rise after every fall.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe Tour de France 2025 lineup
- Primož Roglič
- Florian Lipowitz
- Aleksandr Vlasov
- Laurence Pithie
- Jordi Meeus
- Mick van Dijk
- Danny van Poppel
- Gianni Moscon
