Kopecky heartbroken following missed opportunity at World Championships: "This feels like losing gold"
Cycling
Lotte Kopecky hadn't shown the same form recently that she had earlier in the year, but she nevertheless came to the World Championships as a favourite, and found herself in a winning position towards the end.
"I just couldn't keep up with the five leaders, but I knew we could still catch them if we could turn around well," Kopecky told Sporza after the finish. Leading the Belgian team, she had high hopes of fighting for the gold medal, and found herself in the position. She couldn't keep up with the attacks of the strongest on both final laps, but both times she managed to get in a good group that eventually reeled in the offensives. Everything seemed set for a sprint, until it wasn't...
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"Everyone looked at me when Van Vleuten attacked," Kopecky described. "They knew that I was basically the fastest of that group. If I would have closed the gap, Persico would have won. This feels like losing gold.” It was a tremendous disappointment for Kopecky, who banged on her handlebars across the finish after winning the sprint for second place.
“I am very sorry, I feel this is a huge missed opportunity. The chance of a lifetime even. I think I'm going to watch and experience the last kilometer a few more times. I'll have to let it all sink in," she concluded. Although she's had a very strong season, this will come as a hard hit for Kopecky, as she had almost everything fall into place for a maiden World Title.
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- Pidcock finished 9th place, 29 minutes down. he is a helluva rider, so gutsy. and he is amazing at all disciplines. but this headline is . . .mij09-11-2026
- I know, watch the video. and listen to her competitors. it was a tricky tacky call at best. WTF is this guy talking about??? my original comment was from the picture it didn't look like anything.mij09-11-2026
- I dunno what you're talking about. you make no sense. MS's competitor and the competitors coach said it was BS. she didn't deviate in a way that relegation should be required. revel LOL. you're so cool, in your own mind.mij09-11-2026
- deviation lol, watch the videomij09-11-2026
- the 'No different than women who follow and discuss celebs through gossip magazines' comment was unfortunately a bit off. didn't you just boast about your principles in the comments section of another article?Ketterechts08-11-2026
- Are you MrMauMau 2.0? Nothing you are saying is really relevant. Vaguely connected, but irrelevant. The conversation is whether Schreiber impeded Brand or not.
Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Yeah, unreal.
parisbound0008-11-2026
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Winning silver is losing gold. It will take @LotteKopecky some time to be proud of her amazing ride. #belgiancycling #Wollongong2022
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