"Kopecky used to be a timid girl and has grown into a woman full of confidence" - Ine Beyen admits shedding a tear of pride after Lotte Kopecky's World Championship win
Cycling
Lotte Kopecky took her third world title at the 2023 Glasgow World Championships on Sunday in the women's elite road race after having previously taken two victories on the track. Sporza analyst and ex-pro Ine Beyen admits seeing Kopecky succeed brought a tear to her eye.
"The realization is only coming a bit now. I still have goosebumps and can't quite place it yet, but Lotte Kopecky is world champion," an equally emotional and delighted Beyen told Sporza as part of their post-race analysis. "In the run-up to the World Championship you realized that the team was completely behind Lotte Kopecky. All noses were pointing in the same direction. They looked up to their leader and always believed in it. Then you can do just that little bit more on the day that it has to be. That is also due to the leader. Kopecky believed in herself and radiated that to her teammates."
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Throughout 2023, the 27-year-old Belgian has been at the peak of her powers with this latest and biggest victory being the cherry on top of the cake. "She took the race into her own hands. Kopecky attacked just before the end of the slope. Actually the best possible moment, because everyone is completely broken," Beyen says.
"The Belgian team surpassed itself. Then young riders such as Fleur Moors or Xaydée Van Sinaey have to get the feeling that it is feasible, even within the Belgian team. That also motivates them. Not to mention all the young girls who are thinking of jumping on a bike thanks to Lotte Kopecky."
"I don't think she realizes it herself," Beyen concludes. "Kopecky used to be a timid girl and has grown into a woman full of confidence All week she said that the most important thing is had to come, while she took two world titles on the track. We must not forget what she has endured on a private level. That testifies to a wonderfully clever head. I shed a tear, that's for sure."
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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All multiple medal winners at the 🌈Mega WCs 🥇🥇🥇🥉🇧🇪Lotte Kopecky 🥇🥇🥉🇺🇸Jennifer Valente 🥇🥇 🇫🇷Pauline Ferrand-Prevot 🥇🥇🇬🇧Elinor Barker 🥇🥇🇺🇸Chloe Dygert 🥇🥇🇩🇰Albert Philipsen 🥇🥈🥈🇮🇹Filippo Ganna 🥇🥈🇳🇿Samuel Gaze 🥇🥉🥉🇳🇿Aaron Gate 🥇🥉🇬🇧Tom Pidcock
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