Kopecky returns to the track after Tour de France disappointment
After failing to meet her own expectations on the road this year, Lotte Kopecky returns to her roots the Prague Summer track meet this weekend where she will begin her a search for UCI points for qualification for World Cups and Championships.
This weekend will see road world champion Lotte Kopecky kick off her track season at the Prague Summer Track Meeting in Czechia, where she will compete in multiple events.
The Belgian, who rides for SD Worx-Protime on the road, will take on the Omnium, Scratch, Elimination and Points races, with Belgium bringing a strong women’s roster that also includes Katrijn De Clercq and Shari Bossuyt.
One of the current peloton’s most prolific riders, Kopecky has had a quieter 2024 by her own lofty standards, winning only twice: at the Tour of Flanders and the national time trial championships. She had been slated to lead the all-conquering Dutch team at the Tour de France, but a series of setbacks saw her start the race lacking the required form, forcing her and SD Worx to readjust their ambitions.
Kopecky has enjoyed a glittering career on the track, collecting honours at every level and multiple world titles, including the rainbow bands in both the Points and Elimination races. Alongside Jolien D’hoore she became the first ever women’s Madison world champion in 2017, a title she reclaimed in 2022 with Shari Bossuyt, though the Madison is not on the programme this weekend.
Her return to the track is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but something that has been planned for some time.
"We haven't set any major goals,” national coach Tim Carswell told Sporza. “The most important thing is that she regains her feeling on the track. Besides that, the riders also need to earn the necessary UCI points to participate in important races like the World Championships.
“It's a good opportunity for her to ride on the track again. With her busy road schedule, that's not always easy, but now we've found the time to ease her back into the sport. And the fact that the World Championships are coming up in a few months is, of course, a bonus.”
Despite finishing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift just over two weeks ago and saying she needed time away from the bike, Kopecky has been training on the track in Gent. According to Carswell, the sessions have been very effective.
“It's as if she's never been away. She's looking very good in training so far, it’s great to have her back in the group. Look, she's returned to us very professionally and shows dedication. Everyone hits a bump in the road in their career, but she has so much quality and will soon be back in her best form.”
