Kopecky lays down Sanremo marker with Nokere Koerse victory

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) claimed her first win of the season as she outsprinted Charlotte Kool (Fenix-Premier Tech) and Lara Gillespire (UAE Team ADQ) to win Nokere Koerse.

The former world champion was the pre-race favourite, and she lived up to her billing with an assured sprint from the front group of 25 riders on the uphill drag to the line. Kopecky opened her effort at the same time as Gillespie, but she had too much power for the Irishwoman.

Kopecky had to chase back from a puncture not long after the early break was reeled in, but she was soon back at the head of the race, and she attempted to forge clear with a rasping effort on the Lange Ast cobbles.

Although Kopecky couldn’t snap the elastic there, it was a portent of things to come, even if the finale was animated by a solo effort from Ilse Pluimers (AG Insurance-Soudal), who opened a lead of 10 seconds over the reduced bunch.

Pluimers would be reeled back in with a little over 2km remaining, however, and the scene was set for a sprint finish. Kopecky produced a fine effort to claim the spoils, and she also laid down a marker for Saturday’s Sanremo Women. 

“It feels really good and it’s also a very big relief that finally the first victory of the season is there,” Kopecky said afterwards. “I hope it gives me some freedom for the next races.”