Together with her second consecutive victory within the ladies’s Tour of Flanders, Lotte Kopecky (Group SD Worx) has entered the report books, changing into solely the second lady after 2004/2005 winner Mirjam Melchers to realize this feat.
“It’s a bit unbelievable, really. Final yr, Flanders was the race of my goals, and to win it now for the second time in a row, additionally how we did it, could be very particular,” the 27-year-old stated on the winner’s press convention.
In ladies’s biking, Belgium has typically stood within the shadow of its neighbour to the north. The Netherlands produced high riders at astonishing charges – together with Tour of Flanders twin winner Melchers – whereas Belgians typically struggled to achieve the identical stage.
Kopecky has modified that, giving her nation lots to rejoice final yr when she outsprinted Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar Group) to take her first Flanders victory whereas sporting the long-lasting black-yellow-red jersey of the Belgian champion. Beginning the race with the number one this yr, she felt the strain of a cycling-crazy nation but in addition loved her compatriots’ assist.
“I really feel that I’ve a number of followers who need me to win. However I additionally know that I’ve a complete nation behind me, and I simply have to attempt to give the very best of myself. They have been cheering for me all alongside the parcours, nice followers, and I used to be more than happy with that,” Kopecky stated.
In mid-March, Kopecky suffered a private loss when her brother Seppe handed away. Two years older than his sister, he was one of many causes she took up biking as a sport. Everyone grieves in their very own approach, and Kopecky went on to win Nokere Koerse with an extended solo a number of days after her brother’s passing. After her Flanders victory, she briefly touched on the difficulty.
“Biking has been there already for my complete life. Once I’m on my bike, I be at liberty, and I don’t have to assume an excessive amount of. Generally it additionally helps to get the frustrations out of my head. That’s the one factor I can say,” she defined.
Group SD Worx has dominated the spring Classics to this point with 9 victories, three of which got here from Kopecky. After her spectacular win in Flanders and a time off, the eye now turns to Paris-Roubaix Femmes on April 8.
“I wish to get pleasure from in the present day along with the workforce. Tonight, I hope, we will eat one thing and be collectively. Tomorrow, for certain, I don’t contact my bike. I do know that already, after which on Tuesday I’ll get my focus to Roubaix,” Kopecky stated, outlining her plan for the week forward.
The Traditional on the French pavé is one which Kopecky’s workforce has but to win as the 2 editions to this point have been claimed by Trek-Segafredo riders Lizzie Deignan and Elisa Longo Borghini. Nonetheless, with Kopecky in the very best type of her life and a robust roster of riders round her, she accepts her function as one of many favourites.
“We are able to go to Roubaix with confidence,” stated Kopecky. “Not pondering we win the race for certain, I’ll by no means do this. It’s a complete new day, a complete new race, and all people will get a brand new likelihood.”
