Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) misplaced the 2023 Strade Bianche to teammate Demi Vollering in a detailed dash, and final week she was crushed by Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, however there was no means she was going to overlook out on victory in 12 months’s Strade Bianche.
She at all times deliberate down any stress with Vollering however wished to win within the rainbow jersey and after just lately signing a new contract with SD Worx-Protime.
“As at all times, now we have made clear agreements. If final 12 months’s situation occurs once more, we are going to each go for it,” Kopecky defined.
The late gravel sectors at Strade Bianche once more created the big-name choice and Kopecky struck first, attacking with kilometres to go earlier than anybody else may play their very own tactical plan.
She was joined by Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) however with Vollering behind within the chase group, Kopecky may play a tactical sport and drive the Italian to do extra of the work.
At Omloop Het Nieuwsblad it was a distinct scenario, with Kopecky pressured to chase assaults from Longo Borghini and her teammate Shirin van Anrooij, leaving her drained for the dash in opposition to Vos. This time, Kopecky was capable of flip the tables on Longo Borghini.
“It was a extremely good assault and so created the appropriate scenario,” Kopecky defined of SD Worx techniques.
“We had extra management than final week in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The entire staff did a improbable job. On Le Tolfe, Demi Vollering and I have been within the entrance, which allowed us to play the staff sport completely. Demi went however was caught again. I used to be really nearly on the restrict, however I needed to assault. It was my flip to go.
“Final week I needed to do all of the work and I received second. I attempted to do the minimal this time and that’s biking. Final week Marianne gained and no one had any feedback. I don’t assume there shouldn’t be any feedback this time too.”
Kopecky admitted to not feeling nice however she had the power and willpower to drop Longo Borghini on the By way of Santa Caterina climb so she may win alone within the centre of Siena, even when a fan’s cell phone blocked the tv digital camera capturing the second of victory.
“I really did not have one of the best day. I suffered the entire race. Once I left this morning, I instantly felt I did not have one of the best legs. However I usually have that in a race and normally they do not actually worsen because the race progresses,” she revealed.
“On the By way of Santa Catarina it was necessary to not assault too early. Once I attacked, I went full pace till the final nook. Then I knew this win was in and that I may triumph in a really particular means as world champion within the Piazza del Campo.”
Now the stress is off. Kopecky has a giant win, and that new contract, whereas Vollering’s future remains to be not sure. She will now look to the remainder of the spring with enthusiasm.
“Profitable Strade Bianche makes all of it type of simpler,” she stated. “I wish to win extra and successful Paris-Roubaix could be a dream. However having a giant win within the pocket helps with every little thing.”
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