Lotte Kopecky anticipates difficult women's race: "The Dutch ladies will make the race hard "

Lotte Kopecky will be leading the Belgian team at this Saturday's women's Road Race at the World Championships, and she has talked about expectations ahead of one of her biggest goals of the year.

“I like rain. It makes the race even tougher. I am happy with the circuit," she said in a press conference. "It is long, fifteen kilometers longer than the Tour of Flanders. It can lead to bizarre situations. There will be riders whose lights will suddenly go out.” She's counting on her experience and endurance to battle against the Dutch and Italian national teams which will have several cards to play in the race.

“The Dutch ladies will make the race hard and would do so anyway. I already expect an offensive from them on the first climb," she admits. "I think Italy is stronger than the Netherlands. I expect strong things from Longo Borghini, for me she is the top favorite."

As for her feelings, Kopecky reports says that "I feel fine, but I don't know if I will reach the same level as in the spring. I consider myself an outsider, the signals in the Vuelta were good.” There she finished on the Top5 of four out of five stages, and with wins at the Tour des Flandres and Strade Bianche, she'll be looking for a third and bigger win in a one-day race.