Lotte Kopecky will not defend her World Championships title: “We need to give Lotte time to recharge”

Belgium will head to the 2025 World Championships in Kigali without one of its biggest stars. Lotte Kopecky, the reigning two-time world champion, has decided not to defend her rainbow jersey in Rwanda later this month. After triumphs in Glasgow (2023) and Zurich (2024), her attempt at a third straight title will not happen. The decision comes at the end of a difficult season. Kopecky looked unbeatable when she won the Tour of Flanders in the spring, but injuries impacted her performance at the Giro and Tour de France, and seemingly derailed her summer. National coach Ludwig Willems told Sporza the choice was hers to make. "Sometimes it's better to lose something beautiful than if you never had it," he said.

Willems stressed that Kopecky’s achievements remain extraordinary. "I think we should all be grateful for what Lotte has achieved in recent years: 2nd in Wollongong, 1st in Glasgow, 1st in Zurich, 1st at the European Time Trial Championships in Hasselt, and 3rd at the Paris Games." For now, recovery is the priority. "We need to give Lotte plenty of time to recharge, unwind, and sort things out. Then I'm convinced we'll see an improved version of Lotte in the foreseeable future."

The coach admitted he cannot guarantee Kopecky will dominate again. "The level of women's cycling has made enormous leaps. But an improved Kopecky can aim for the very best result." He pointed to the warning signs earlier this summer. "Doubts had already arisen in the Giro, and they grew even greater in the Tour. She then made the decision herself not to participate. She wasn't convinced she would be 100 percent ready."

In Kopecky’s absence, Belgium will turn to Justine Ghekiere, Marthe Goossens, Marieke Meert, Julie Vandevelde, and Margot Vanpachtenbeke. Interestingly, they were not informed in advance. "The news will also come as a shock to that group," Willems admitted. "But I only remember it myself from the Tour de l'Avenir. There are five ambitious riders at the starting line who will be aiming for the very best. They can ride a great race, although their medal chances are obviously smaller without Kopecky."

Willems was clear that there had been no pressure to change Kopecky’s mind. "Have we tried to convince her? No, we don't want to put pressure on her to participate. I have too much respect for what she has achieved for that."

The elite women’s road race in Kigali will consist of 11 laps of a circuit for a total of 164.6 kilometres and 3,350 meters of climbing, a demanding course where Belgium’s five riders will try to make an impact despite the loss of their star. Meanwhile, in the men’s race, Remco Evenepoel will lead Belgium’s squad with support from Ilan Van Wilder, Victor Campenaerts, Tiesj Benoot, Florian Vermeersch, Xandro Meurisse, Quinten Hermans, and Cian Uijtdebroeks.