Cycling star “raced with two” as she wins race four days after brother’s death

16 March 2023 , 16:17

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Lotte Kopecky didn't celebrate after winning Nokere Koerse four days after her brother died

Cycling star Lotte Kopecky 'raced with two' as she launched an emphatic solo attack to win a race four days after her brother's death.

The Belgian star was not down to race Nokere Koerse on Wednesday in her home nation but asked team SD Worx to include her in their roster. The race came days after her older brother Seppe, 29, died unexpectedly over the weekend.

The four-time world track cycling champion was in emphatic form on the cobbled course, launching her winning move with over four miles remaining and powering to victory finishing 28 seconds clear of her rivals.

"I had made the choice to race today last week," said an emotional Kopecky after the finish talking to Eurosport through an interpreter. "I really wanted to race today no matter no matter what.

"These were not easy days. It's just no use letting you head hang and today I just wanted to race. I'm happy that it worked out and I think today I race with two."

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Lotte Kopecky said she 'raced with two' on her way to winning Nokere Koerse by 28 seconds

Kopecky, who along with her heroics in the velodrome has two Belgian titles on the road to her name, was determined to take control of the race and launched several attacks which were brought back by the peloton.

However, with over seven miles remaining she attacked again on an uphill cobbled section riding across to the lone leader Aude Biannic with Eleonora Gasparrini. With four miles remaining Kopecky powered away from her breakaway companions and went solo.

Kopecky arrived at the cobbled climb to the finish in Nokere alone and didn't celebrate finishing 28 seconds ahead of team-mate and European champion Lorena Wiebes.

Lotte Kopecky attacked to win Nokere Koerse alone

"It was our goal to really make it a hard race and I think we did. It's a race I really like to ride with the cobbles and things," added Kopecky. "With the team we had a one-two which was really good again."

When asked what went through her mind during her the winning attack? Kopecky said: "Not really a lot."

Kopecky is targeting Paris Olympics success on the velodrome for Belgium in the women's omnium and is currently the elimination and Madison world champion.

Benjamin Goddard