Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) misplaced the 2023 Strade Bianche to teammate Demi Vollering in an in depth dash, and final week she was overwhelmed by Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, however there was no manner she was going to overlook out on victory in yr’s Strade Bianche.
She at all times deliberate down any pressure with Vollering however needed to win within the rainbow jersey and after not too long ago signing a new contract with SD Worx-Protime.
“As at all times, we’ve made clear agreements. If final yr’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 pressure the Italian to do extra of the work.
At Omloop Het Nieuwsblad it was a unique state of affairs, with Kopecky compelled to chase assaults from Longo Borghini and her teammate Shirin van Anrooij, leaving her drained for the dash towards Vos. This time, Kopecky was in a position to flip the tables on Longo Borghini.
“It was a very good assault and so created the precise state of affairs,” Kopecky defined of SD Worx ways.
“We had extra management than final week in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The entire workforce did a implausible job. On Le Tolfe, Demi Vollering and I had been within the entrance, which allowed us to play the workforce 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 bought second. I attempted to do the minimal this time and that’s biking. Final week Marianne received 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 energy and dedication 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 digicam capturing the second of victory.
“I really did not have the very best day. I suffered the entire race. After I left this morning, I instantly felt I did not have the very best legs. However I typically have that in a race and often they do not actually worsen because the race progresses,” she revealed.
“On the By way of Santa Catarina it was vital to not assault too early. After I attacked, I went full velocity till the final nook. Then I knew this win was in and that I may triumph in a really particular manner as world champion within the Piazza del Campo.”
Now the stress is off. Kopecky has an enormous 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 can be a dream. However having an enormous win within the pocket helps with every thing.”
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