"The victory in the Strade has only given me wings and even more confidence" according to Lotte Kopecky

Belgian national champion Lotte Kopecky has been so far one of the headliners of the cycling season and much is owed to her move to Team SD Worx. Racing collectively, they have been able to defend themselves from Annemiek van Vleuten so far well in the classics.

“I think this is a process of a number of factors. I've gotten a little older and stronger. Have more experience in the big games. Two years ago I realized that I could become a good cyclist. I won a stage in the Giro Donne and two weeks later I beat Jolien D'hoore in the Belgian championship. Those achievements opened my eyes. Those were key moments in my career. Especially in my head I have taken steps every year. Cycling is not just fast cycling. There is much more to it. And my transfer to the strongest team, Team SD Worx, is a golden move in my career. So many good riders around me gives me more peace and confidence," Kopecky told Wielerflits.

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It gives me a lot of peace now that I know that there are other teammates in my team who can win races. That the pressure isn't just on me. That gives a lot of peace of mind and makes a big difference in how you dare to race in the race... I have to say I was quite nervous when I went to the first training camp in December. You go to a team with so many good riders, then you always have to wait and see how you fit into that group. Especially since the team was already formed," she added.

"Marlen Reusser and I were the only newcomers last winter. I had signed for three years, so I had to start feeling at home here. Otherwise I had a problem. The first meeting went very well and from that moment on I felt at home in the team. I immediately clicked with various riders. During training you can immediately see who is good and what they have to offer. And if you can finish it that way in the Strade, you gain even more confidence from the other riders of the team.”

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After having grown at Lotto Soudal Ladies, Kopecky has showed her talent last year with Liv Racing where she had a very consistent consistent season, which also included wins at Le Samyn, a double win at the national championships and the Lotto Belgium Tour. Upon her move this winter into Team SD Worx, she's managed to combine her natural talent with the team strength that the Dutch team is providing. “I realize that this is very special. I have a good relationship with Chantal. We got into a situation after the Paterberg where we knew I was the fastest of the three. My sprint gave us the biggest option to win. I have a lot of respect for the fact that she completely ignores me.”

“I always want to start the season with good form and work on that. That's why the Strade Bianche was my first goal. The victory in the Strade has only given me wings and even more confidence. Certainly towards this Tour of Flanders. Those two classics were my big goals this spring. If you manage to win both of them, then you have a perfect report," she said.

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This year, she has gone on to win Strade Bianche and Tour des Flandres, both due to the immense collective power of SD Worx, which has seen Kopecky in the pole position as she's entered the season with form, which also included Top4 places at Ronde van Drenthe, Nokere Koerse and Gent-Wevelgem. Her season is only in early April and may include many more wins

"It is currently running great. I hope I can maintain this level, maybe even improve it. The switch to Team SD Worx has been an important step. I will be with this team for at least the next three years, so we can still achieve great results together. My next race is Paris-Roubaix, which we will explore on Wednesday... Then I will build up towards the Giro Donne and the Tour de France. In the latter part of the season I will focus on the World Championships on the road in Australia," she concluded.