Team SD Worx have had a strong season and are perhaps the team with most depth in the women's peloton, but they're gaining an even more valuable weapon this coming season as Lorena Wiebes is joining. Lotte Kopecky has discussed the changes that might arise due to the incoming firepower.
“I have no problem with that. I look at it in a positive way. When we start together, I will be able to race more offensively and more freely. Because when it comes to a bunch sprint, we have Lorena," Kopecky told Sporza. Overall, she describes a positive feeling and more options when it comes to racing - aggressively, specifically.
Kopecky has taken wins in races such as the Tour des Flandres and Strade Bianche where Wiebes isn't expected to perform - aswell as runner-up at both World Championships and Paris-Roubaix, however the calendar will feature several races that could fit Wiebes, whilst also providing launchpads for SD Worx to attack. Kopecky expects to benefit from the freedom of having the designated sprinter behind.
“It will be very difficult to match that or to do better. It does motivate me to work super hard again this winter and to get the highest possible out of it next year," she continued. "I'm mainly focusing on spring right now. The European Championships on the track is already mid-February. It is the first qualifying competition for the Olympic Games, so that is important.”
A multi-disciplinary talent, the Belgian won't solely focus on the road, but her spring goals are quite clear: “I try to have my big peak against the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, but the Olympic Games are also in the back of my mind."
"Hopefully we can pick up a lot of points this year, so that we don't have to worry about that in 2024," she concluded.
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