"Last year I was close to this prize, now I really have it" - Lotte Kopecky makes history as first Belgian winner of Women's Velo d'Or

Folloqing the superstar Dutch duo of Annemiek van Vleuten in 2022 and Demi Vollering in 2023, Lotte Kopecky has become the first ever Belgian winner of the women's Velo d'Or as a result of her standout performances across the 2024 season.

“I am very happy and proud to win this Vélo d'Or,” reacted a beaming Kopecky via a video call during the prestigious awards ceremony on Friday night. “I have to thank a lot of people. The people close to me know that I am a grateful person, my family and friends, but also my teammates. Last year I was already close to this prize, now I really have it. I am really happy with it and I am already looking forward to next season.”

Kopecky was once again one of the peloton’s leading lights in 2024. 16 victories this calendar year, including notable successes such as Strade Bianche Donne, Paris-Roubaix Femmes, dual titles at the Belgian national championships, the Women's Tour of Britain, the Tour de Romandie, the European time trial title and a second successive Rainbow Jersey. Add to those victories an incredible performance at the Giro d’Italia in July, where she missed out a first Grand Tour victory by just 21 seconds and an Olympic bronze medal in the women’s elite road race, Kopecky once again proved herself as a key part in Team SD Worx - Protime’s dominance.

This year, the competition for the aqard against Kopecky came from the likes of Vollering, Pauliena Rooijakkers, Marianne Vos, Lorena Wiebes, Grace Brown, American Kristen Faulkner, Italian Elisa Longo Borghini, French Evita Muzic and Tour de France Femmes winner Katazryna Niewiadoma. In the end, Vollering took second place, with Niewiadoma completing the top three.