16/04/2024

Lotte Kopecky surprise starter at La Fleche Wallonne Femmes but only "as a luxury servant" of Demi Vollering

On Wednesday the 17th of April, the Women's peloton takes on La Fleche Wallonne Femmes. Announcing their lineup for the race, Team SD Worx - Protime have included Lotte Kopecky in a change from her original race schedule.

The world champion won't be going for the win herself though according to Team SD Worx - Protime's Anna van der Breggen. Instead, outright leadership remains with Demi Vollering, who triumphed at La Fleche Wallonne Femmes last year.

Preliminary startlist Flèche Wallone Femmes with Demi Vollering, Elisa Longo Borghini, Katarzyna Niewiadoma, Fem van Empel and Gaia Realini

“The Flèche Wallonne is different compared to the other Ardennes classics. Fatigue is piling up in the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. In the Flèche Wallonne you have quite a tame start, especially this year with the changes. Only in the finale does it explode and most of them are still relatively fresh. These are the races where you can and must go very deep," Previews van der Breggen to the team's official website. "You know that everything has to be done in a few minutes. That makes it a bit of a difficult finish mentally. Climbers are not used to that. On a climb in the middle or high mountains you often have an effort of half an hour, where you can still decide where you want to make a difference. This is where it has to happen on the Mur de Huy.”

“Who are the favorites for this edition of the Flèche Wallonne? Demi Vollering, meanwhile, has the experience to finish it. She is always good in the Flèche Wallonne and is our only leader in this classic," van der Breggen insists. "She is surrounded by a strong team that will provide full support. Lotte Kopecky starts as a luxury servant. Blanka Vas, Elena Cecchini and Femke Gerritse are there to assist in any escapes, so that Demi can save her strength as much as possible until the Wall. We are also curious about how Niamh Fisher-Black will fare. This is a climb that should also suit her. In terms of challengers, I am mainly looking at Kasia Niewiadoma, Elisa Longo-Borghini and Gaia Realini.”