World Champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) has expressed disappointment at ending second on the 2024 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday.
Kopecky, who simply received the general title on the UAE Tour, lined up as one of many overwhelming favourites however was outsprinted by a quicker Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) from a four-rider breakaway that raced into the end line in Ninove.
“I’ve reached some extent the place I’m not happy with second place. I did every little thing I might to make the distinction,” Kopecky stated on the end line.
The large query forward of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was whether or not anybody might beat the dominant SD Worx-Protime group that lined up with a group of tough-to-beat champions, together with Kopecky and Tour de France winner Demi Vollering.
Because the peloton raced into the closing kilometres, Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) surged forward with roughly 25km to go, and Vos, Kopecky, and Shirin van Anrooij (additionally Lidl-Trek) managed to bridge throughout to the Italian Champion on the Muur van Geraardsbergen.
From there, it was an all-out battle to the end line, with every rider taking turns attacking and forcing their rivals to chase.
“Lidl-Trek performed it effectively by attacking in turns. I repeatedly needed to pull the chestnuts out of the fireplace. If I do not do this, I am driving for second place anyway. I rode fairly an excellent race, however I had hoped for extra, after all,” Kopecky stated of her efficiency.
The quartet have been nonetheless collectively into the ending straightaway, the place Longo Borghini launched a protracted dash, however Vos accelerated off of Kopecky’s slipstream to take the win.
Ultimately, there was no shock to see Vos outsprint a four-rider breakaway for victory, given her glowing profession that has earned her the G.O.A.T. standing.
Nonetheless, the previous multi-discipline world champion ended her season early final yr, underwent iliac artery surgical procedure, after which adhered to a rehabilitation program of 10 weeks. She started her racing season his spring at Setmana Valenciana the place she completed sixth general. This was her first time competing at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
“Marianne was simply quicker within the dash. She was robust, after which you realize it may be powerful to drop her,” Kopecky stated. “As a rider, I’m completely satisfied for her that she is racing at this stage once more. I’ve plenty of respect for her.”
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad marks the start of the one-day racing season in Belgium and of the Spring Classics. Trying forward, Kopecky is assured that she and SD Worx-Protime will get pleasure from many successes alongside the way in which.
“This was the primary traditional of the season. We rode an excellent race. There’ll usually be some extra percentages additional within the coming time. I’ll give my finest within the Strade Bianche and hope to do yet another place higher,” she stated.
Van der Breggen says Vollering will develop stronger because the season progresses
SD Worx Protime director and retired skilled racer Anna van der Breggen additionally stated that second place was lower than the group had hoped for in the beginning of the day, however she gave credit score to Vos’ early-season power.
“I believe Marianne was actually robust once more. For a very long time, we didn’t see that. Ultimately, you hope that Lotte can do it on the Muur or on the Bosberg like she did final yr, however I believe the ladies did a very good race with three in entrance,” Van der Breggen stated.
She additionally gauged from her personal expertise how essential the mix of Muur van Geraardsbergen and Bosberg is in affecting the techniques and the result of the race.
“It’s actually trustworthy in entrance on the Muur and the Bosberg. It’s how the teams go, and we have to take advantage of out of it. I believe Lotte didn’t make errors. Within the dash, Marianne was higher,” she stated.
Van der Breggen famous that Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was Vollering’s first race of the season. Ultimately, she completed sixth place in a chase group behind the four-rider breakaway.
“Within the winter, for Demi, the form is there, however possibly not prefer it was final yr already at this second. She had fairly some issues within the winter that the form shouldn’t be like this, and I believe that’s completely with this season not a nasty factor,” she stated.
“To know that you may nonetheless be higher and develop and the season will probably be actually lengthy, so really that’s OK for now. The large races are a month later, so I believe it’s an excellent factor when you realize that you simply’re good however that you may nonetheless develop loads. General, we’re completely satisfied, however after all, we’d wish to have received the race.”
