Lotte Kopecky voted 'Flandrien of the year' despite disappointing season: "Take away Flanders and it’s a dramatic year"

The 2025 season has not been an easy one for Lotte Kopecky, as it was marked by constant setbacks. The Belgian superstar struggled with winter knee problems, persistent back issues that forced her to abandon the Giro d’Italia, a disappointing Tour de France Femmes, and a fractured vertebra that ruled her out of the Track World Championships.

Despite that, the 30-year-old was awarded 'Flandrien of the year', which is given annually to the best Belgian professional cyclist of the season, for the sixth time in a row. In the men's category, it was Remco Evenepoel who received that prize.

"It's a double feeling," Kopecky told Het Nieuwsblad. "I'm always super proud to win such a trophy, but it hasn't been my best year. Take away my win in the Tour of Flanders and we're talking about a frankly dramatic year in my eyes."

Her victory at the Tour of Flanders, taken while wearing the rainbow jersey that she got after winning the 2024 World Championships, stood out as the defining moment of her season. "I get an instant smile on my face. It's my best moment of the season," she said.

"The fact that it was my third win [while wearing the rainbow jersey, after a stage and the GC of the Simac Ladies Tour held in October 2024] doesn't mean much to me, I'm not so concerned with records. But winning the Tour of Flanders in the rainbow jersey, that's something very special for me: winning one of the most iconic races in the most iconic jersey."

Kopecky explained that many of her difficulties had a root in the knee injury she suffered in a fall during the past offseason. The problem lingered throughout the winter and repeatedly halted her training. "Initially I thought, 'I'll be able to train again next week.' But it became a story of constantly getting on and off the bike. That lasted almost until the end of January."

She described the frustration of watching teammates complete long training hours while she struggled to maintain even limited sessions. "I was always at training camps watching other riders cycle for four, five, six hours, while with luck I could train for two hours. During spring I still had some sensitivity in that knee, but the problem was gone. I just missed the necessary training work."

Her challenges became more evident during the Tour de France Femmes, where she had aimed for a strong general classification performance. Instead, she finished in 45th place in the GC, never finishing inside the top 10 of a stage. "We went to reconnoitre that first stage and I was really looking forward to it. But I was at less than fifty percent of my normal level," she revealed. "That was the low point. I had a good cry after that stage. There were quite a few tears shed that week."

Despite the setbacks, Kopecky said the season offered important lessons. "It's a year in which I learned a lot. How important a good winter is. And that when I have a bad day, I need to stay calm and keep believing in myself."

Finally, when asked whether she will still fight for the Tour de France GC in the future, Kopecky does not think that is a likely scenario. "I'm not saying it's 200 percent certain that it's shelved, but for now it is. I would only do it again on a course that suits me 200 percent."