"I am very much looking forward to it" - Lotte Kopecky goes head-to-head with Demi Vollering for first time at Milano-Sanremo Women

This Saturday, an absolute racing spectacle is expected as Milano-Sanremo Women takes place alongside the men's race. When it comes to favourites for the Monument win on the women's side, it's hard to look past Team SD Worx - Protime's world champion, Lotte Kopecky.

Given that Kopecky is yet to actually race this season though, the Belgian superstar heads to the start line with her form relatively untested. "I haven't raced for a long time, so there was no lack of motivation. Of course I followed the races closely. It was nice to see how well our team was doing. Great results have already been achieved," assesses the Rainbow Jersey in a pre-Milano-Sanremo press release posted to the official website of Team SD Worx - Protime. "As I watched, I naturally started itching more and more to get back into it too. It was all nice to arrive in Italy at Team SD Worx - Protime, you feel the team is in a good flow."

As such, confidence is high of a positive season opener. "What I expect from Milano-Sanremo? First of all, I want to say that it is really an asset to have this race added to the calendar," Kopecky continues, referencing the fact this is the first women's edition of the iconic race in a generation. "Estimating how the race will go is therefore extra difficult. Anyway, I think the course is successful. Some say the number of kilometres could have been higher, but I don't agree. Whether the course was 200 kilometres, or like now 160: the difference will definitely be made. For such a first Milano-Sanremo, I think it's okay for now. This is a nice distance to start with."

"I have already explored the Cipressa and Poggio. The wind will play an important role on Saturday. Everyone also starts from the scenarios in the men's race when trying to estimate how things will go in the women's," adds Kopecky. "But it remains to be seen how the climbs will be approached. And the downhill will also be important. I myself am quite a good descender."

Whilst as mentioned, she herself will start as the pre-race favourite, Kopecky is by no means the only candidate for victory on the startlist, something the Belgian is keen to point out. "I think we can rely on our own strength in the first place. We have a strong team at the start with riders who are in good shape. With Lorena Wiebes, we have another good card to play for the win," acknowledges the 29-year-old, before attempting to put the pressure on her rivals. "Demi Vollering, Elisa Longo Borghini, Marianne Vos and Puck Pieterse are the main names that can be written down as favourites."

"In any case, it remains to be seen what feeling I will have in the race on Saturday. That's always the case with a first race. I come back from altitude training, so it remains to be seen whether I react to that stimulus straight away or not. But as I said: I am very much looking forward to it," Kopecky concludes her preview. "I am starting later this season because I wanted to be good in the Ardennes classics. I hope by racing a bit later, I can continue the form until Liège-Bastogne-Liège."