“Something wasn't right”- Another crash sees Lotte Kopecky wave goodbye to rainbow jersey

The time has come for Lotte Kopecky to hand over the rainbow jersey she has worn with pride since Glasgow in 2023 and successfully defended last year in Switzerland. A crash during the Tour de l’Ardèche has brought her reign to an abrupt end, marking her final outing in the iconic bands. The Belgian champion had hoped to close this chapter on a high, but fate had other plans.

“I had hoped to finish my last race in the rainbow jersey on a high, but it wasn't exactly my lucky week,” Kopecky wrote on Instagram after being forced to abandon Friday’s stage. The crash came early in the race, leaving her with no option but to step off. "I felt something wasn't right. I tried to get back on the bike anyway, but there was no other option but to stop. Fortunately, the medical examination showed that nothing was broken in my back, but it hurts terribly."

Attention now shifts to what comes next, though even Kopecky is uncertain. "I didn't have a specific plan for after the Ardèche, although I did think about the World Championships on the track. Now it's even more uncertain. I hope to be back on the bike soon and then decide whether I'll pursue that goal or finish the season."

One thing already confirmed is that Kopecky will not travel to Kigali to defend her world road title later this month. Earlier this month her coach Ludwig Willems reflected on her achievements in recent years with admiration. "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 takes precedence. "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."

Kopecky’s 2025 season has been one of contrasts. She began strongly, winning the Tour of Flanders in the spring, but her attempt at general classification success at the Tour de France was undermined by fatigue and misfortune. After abandoning the Giro and struggling through July, she never rediscovered her best form. Now, with her rainbow jersey chapter closed, the focus is on rest and recuperation before deciding on the next goals in a career already rich in wins.