"I'm curious what tomorrow will bring" - Relaxed Lotte Kopecky heads to European Championships time-trial without expectations

Lotte Kopecky has had an incredibly successful 2023 but with the season nearing its conclusion, can the recently crowned road race World Champion add European Championships glory to her palmares? Her first shot comes on Wednesday in the women's elite individual time-trial.

“I wonder what I can do when fresh. The Tour is the only reference in the time-trial. So I'm curious what tomorrow will bring," the Team SD Worx superstar is quoted by Het Laatste Nieuws from a pre-European Championships press conference. 

Read also

PREVIEW | 2023 European Championships women Elite time-trial - Marlen Reusser main favourite to revalidate title

Not renowned as an elite time-trialist, Kopecky has been working hard on her ability against the clock and the upcoming European Championships can provide a real marker as to what level she is on compared to the likes of Team SD Worx teammate, Marlen Reusser.

“In terms of position on the time trial bike, I worked with track coach Tim Carswell this winter. We then looked at my position on the track bike and it was suggested that I also bring my time trial bike. So I'm quite happy with how I feel on the bike," explains Kopecky before naming her Team SD Worx teammate as the favourite. “These are long roads, they go straight a lot and they are a bit monotonous. It's something for pure speed riders like a typical Marlen Reusser."

Read also

PREVIEW | 2023 European Championships men Elite time-trial - Wout van Aert, Stefan Küng and Joshua Tarling fight for special jersey