Lotte Kopecky finished 5️⃣th in Ronde van Vlaanderen in an out-rained epic edition. @demivollering rode a strong race, fighting back from lost position and doing a long lead-out in the chasing group. 📸 @gettysport
"I shouted at her that this was too ridiculous for words" - Lotte Kopecky slammed by Team SD Worx - Protime boss after questionable Tour of Flanders tactics
CyclingMonday, 01 April 2024 at 12:30
Team SD Worx - Protime suffered some rare disappointment on Sunday as they completely missed the podium at the women's Tour of Flanders.
Pre-race, their big hope was world champion, Lotte Kopecky, but after showing some signs of fragility on the climbs, the best the Belgian could manage was 5th as Elisa Longo Borghini took the win. "Lotte is not going to sleep well from this," team boss, Danny Stam reflected post-race to HLN. "It is important to clarify where and how things went wrong so we can do better in the near future."
In particular, one instance stood out to Stam, earning his ire. Just five kilometres before the foot of the Koppenberg, the world champion dropped back to the support car for some provisions. "That was definitely not a smart idea. Lotte is the world champion and our leading lady. So where do you get it into your head to go get food yourself instead of leaving it to a teammate!?" recalls Stam furiously. "I was dumbfounded at first when I suddenly saw Lotte riding at the back of the peloton. Then, when she also let herself drop down to the follow car, I shouted at her that this was too ridiculous for words."
"Lotte has to learn to give orders. I think she realises that well now," Stam concludes. "During the debriefing, she apologised to the group and made it clear that that action was not smart. She does take that responsibility."
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