“If only I were a champion like Lotte” - Who was Lotte Kopecky’s doppelganger at the Tour of Flanders?

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.