"I've invested a lot in it over the past year and it's great that it's paying off" - European Time Trial title gives Lotte Kopecky confidence for the future

Lotte Kopecky became the European Champion for 2024. The surprising part is that the victory came around in the time trial where, despite being in the mix of favourites, not many really believed that the Belgian all-rounder would win in front of her home crowds.

Kopecky was naturally over the moon to win her first big time trial, and such an important one at that: "Wow, a new dimension... It's a good dimension," she responds with a smile in front of the camera of WielerFlits. "This is a new step. I've invested a lot in it over the past year and it's great that it's paying off."

"It is my first European title on the road and that in my own country. It is very nice to realize this," Kopecky is of course very happy with her first white-blue star jersey. "It is my first international victory in a time trial. That gives confidence for the future."

Speaking of the future: in just over a week, the World Time Trial Championships (September 22) are on the program in Zurich. Kopecky will be there again, but will she also make this time trial a main goal? "That says a lot. I try to start the World Championships with as little pressure as possible, both from myself and from the federation. I have to make sure that I am there and have a really good day. Then we will see where we end up."