"Perhaps in terms of popularity I am somewhere in the vicinity of Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert" - Lotte Kopecky on her growing stardom in Belgium

Few cyclists were as successful in 2023 as Team SD Worx superstar, Lotte Kopecky. With the success on the bike growing, her stardom back home in Belgium is also on the rise.

"Perhaps in terms of popularity I am somewhere in the vicinity of Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert," analyses the 27-year-old in conversation with Het Nieuwsblad. "In any case, I like that it has grown little by little. Not all of a sudden: bam, world famous. Being recognised, that takes some getting used to for me."

Becoming world road race champion in Glasgow, Kopecky was also one of the stars of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes. Winning the Green Jersey was arguably an expected success but finishing second overall behind teammate Demi Vollering was an incredible bonus for Kopecky. Could she even go better in future and win the Maillot Jaune?

"The question is whether it should be my ambition. This year there was one uphill finish and that was perfect. But will they occur more often in the future?" Kopecky questions. "I can now compete on all courses. If I starve myself and lose five kilos, maybe I can win the Tour. But then only the Tour. I'd rather win all the classics than just the Tour. So for now I'm not considering that and I'm happy with what kind of rider I am."