02/04/2023

Lotte Kopecky solo's to second straight Tour of Flanders WE win in dominant display

For the second straight year Lotte Kopecky has been crown the winner of the Tour of Flanders WE. Unlike last year where she outsprinted Annemiek van Vleuten for victory, this time Kopecky was able to savour the moment as she soloed to a dominant win.

Always one of the best days viewing on the cycling calendar, the Women's Tour of Flanders was viewed by many in the peloton as a perfect opportunity to impress. With everyone having such a desire to do well, no team wanted to miss out on an early break, as such it wasn't until around 65km's gone that the elastic finally snapped and Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance - Soudal Quick-Step) formed a solo leading group. Joined shortly after by Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM Racing) and Elinor Barker (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team).

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With 48km to go, drama ensued for women's road race world champion and one of the pre-race favourites Annemiek van Vleuten as she went down in a seemingly innocuous crash in the middle of the peloton. As the race ahead went over a damp Koppenberg, numerous riders were forced to unclip and rechain as the peloton almost came to a complete standstill.

It was following the Koppenberg that SD Worx began to really take control of the race. A four-woman group broke ahead of the main bunch, three of them from Team SD Worx as Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Marlen Reusser were joined by Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ). With the chasers scrambling to get back in contention with last year's Tour of Flanders winner, both Wiebes and Reusser were dropped from the lead group leaving just the duo of Kopecky and Persico working in tandem.

As Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek - Segafredo) powered the chasing group, keeping them in touch at around 20 seconds behind, Lotte Kopecky attacked again as the race reached the Oude Kwaremont, cracking Persico and riding clear on her own.

Shirin van Anrooij bridged the gap to Persico as the riders tackled the final cobbled sector of the day but Kopecky, whose lead was by now pushing a minute seemed to have an unassailable lead. It seemed as if the chase group had realised as much as well with the intent of the riders seemingly switching from catching Kopecky to the battle for the podium.

Kopecky allowed herself a smile to the camera as she eased the last km whilst in the background a fierce battle for the podium played out with Demi Vollering giving Team SD Worx a one-two finish ahead of Elisa Longo Borghini in third.