Cycling
World champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) succeeds herself as winner in Nokere. She thus becomes the co-record holder with two victories.
Last year, Kopecky, not yet wearing the rainbow jersey, soloed to victory in the Flemish cobblestone race. And that seemed to be what she had in mind for this edition. After a first escape attempt by Sofia Bertizzolo (UAE ADQ), our compatriot closed the gap to the Italian in no time on the Holstraat. At 75 kilometers the world champion suddenly found himself alone. Bertizzolo could not keep pace.
It must also have been the question Kopecky asked herself when she was working alone on a lengthy solo. While the peloton split in two on the Petegemberg, last year’s winner had reservations about her plan of attack. Sixty kilometers from the finish it was enough. Kopecky consciously collapsed again.
Kopecky watches
Just like in the Strade Bianche, Kopecky watched as many riders tried to jump away from the peloton, without breaking a sweat. Nine names succeeded in their aim, including Wiebes, the leader at SD Worx together with our compatriot. The Dutch team now had complete control of the race and so Kopecky was given the green light not much later.
The world champion clearly had a pair of super legs and only one gear was enough to storm to the front and pull the peloton into a ribbon. Only Wiebes and Lily Williams could follow, the Costa Rican Arlenis Sierra also made the jump to the leading group. Result? Ten kilometers from the finish, Kopecky and co had extended their lead to half a minute compared to the peloton. Seven pursuers dangled somewhere in between.
Kopecky clearly knows her teammate, also a two-time winner of Nokere Koerse, well and accelerated at the ideal moment to hurt Wiebes. The woman in the rainbow jersey attacks on an ascending cobblestone section. It soon became clear that that one strong punch was enough for Kopecky to ride solo to victory.
Just like last year, Kopecky was able to climb the Nokereberg with ease. The competition had no story against the world champion, who was victorious for the second year in a row. This makes her a joint record holder with Wiebes, who has also won twice in Nokere. The Dutch was ultimately ‘the best of the rest’, Williams completed the podium.