“I trust that she will support me" - Kopecky the super-domestique expecting Wiebes to return the favour?
Cycling
Double world champion Lotte Kopecky once again proved her
value as a teammate at Gent Wevelgem on Sunday, sacrificing her own chances to
set up victory for teammate Lorena Wiebes. It was a selfless act, and a
familiar one for Kopecky, who executed a monstrous lead-out in the final
moments of the race.
“It was very chaotic at the end,” Kopecky said to Sporza. “I
was not comfortable and just tried to keep the pace as high as possible. I
hoped that Lorena would not have to go too early. And it was a tailwind, you
know,” she chuckled.
With Kopecky drilling the pace, Wiebes was launched
perfectly to the line, claiming the win after Kopecky had already assessed
that the breakaway was doomed due to a lack of collaboration.
“It was clear very quickly that Elisa Longo Borghini didn't
want to ride full speed and Chloé Dygert also got stuck there for a while,” she
explained. “If you don't work together straight away, you know it's going to be
difficult.”
That moment of hesitation in the breakaway sealed her
decision. Without complaint, she flipped her role, from leader to lead-out.
“I was given a chance and it didn't work out. I have no
problem turning the switch,” Kopecky said. “Something like that happens
automatically. I am happy with Lorena's victory. If I don't get away, it's my
own fault and I know that Lorena's card will be drawn.”
While many expected Kopecky to fight for victory herself,
her post-race comments hinted at both pragmatism and a quiet confidence that
her own chances will come soon enough.
“Will Lorena's return service come in the Tour of Flanders?
It's not that I'm saying it has to be done then or then,” she sighed, slightly
irritated. “I trust that she will support me.”
“That return favor? Something like that follows
automatically,” Kopecky shrugged.
Despite disappointment at not taking the win herself,
there’s no bitterness. Kopecky remains a team player, and believes the time
will come when the dynamic flips in her favour.
“There are still many beautiful races to come and there will
definitely be moments when this comes back,” she said.
And heading into the business end of the spring, she’s
optimistic about her form.
“I felt better than last week in Sanremo,” Kopecky
concluded with optimism. “I hope I can continue that trend and then I think I'll be ready.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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