“If only I were a champion like Lotte” - Who was Lotte Kopecky’s doppelganger at the Tour of Flanders?
Cycling
Lotte Kopecky stormed to a historic third Tour of Flanders
title on Sunday, cementing her status as the queen of the cobbles. But for some
fans along the roadside, there was a moment of uncertainty. Was it Kopecky
crossing the line in rainbow bands… or Kim Le Court?
Checks notes, no it was Kopecky! But why the confusion?
With a quick glance (and perhaps a bit of Flanders
beer-fuelled excitement) it was easy to see where the confusion came from.
Kimberly Le Court, riding for AG Insurance–Soudal, also
donned a striking white jersey with rainbow stripes across the chest. The
29-year-old Mauritian national champion bears the proud colours of her
country’s flag, which, to the untrained eye, closely resemble the rainbow bands
worn by the World Champion.
The confusion wasn’t just a roadside phenomenon either. “I
really got a lot of criticism for that on social media,” Le Court told Het
Nieuwsblad after finishing fifth in Oudenaarde, an impressive result for
the rider who won a Giro stage last year and placed third overall at the UAE
Tour this February.
“However, the UCI approved my outfit. So I can't help it
that I look a bit like a world champion. Lucky with the flag, right? If only I
were a champion like Lotte,” she said with a smile.
That being said, Le Court is an impressive rider in her own
right. She has been a part of the Quick-Step set up since 2024, and was 10th
on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix last year.
Whilst she might not currently have the ability or star
power, Le Court is clearly an excellent rider in her own right. But no, she was
no wearing the rainbow jersey this past Sunday! Maybe she can target that at
the 2025 world championships, later this year.
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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