World champion Lotte Kopecky abandons Giro d'Italia Women

Lotte Kopecky has abandoned the Giro d’Italia Women due to a back injury, her SD Worx – Protime squad announced on Thursday evening.

The world champion has been withdrawn from the event as a precaution ahead of the Tour de France Femmes.

Kopecky’s overall aspirations at the Giro disappeared on stage 4 when she lost over 19 minutes on the summit finish at Pianezze, and she later cited back pain as the explanation for her struggles.

Although Kopecky was able to lead out Wiebes to a second stage victory in Monselice on stage 5, the Belgian will play no further part in the Giro.

“Lotte Kopecky will not start tomorrow's sixth stage of the Giro d'Italia Women,” read the statement from SD Worx – Protime. “The world champion is still experiencing some discomfort in her lower back. As a precaution ahead of the Tour de France Femmes, she is leaving the Giro d'Italia Women to take three to four days of complete rest. 

“According to the medical staff of Team SD Worx – Protime, the discomfort in her lower back should heal completely with a few days of rest. She will then be able to resume her preparations for the Tour de France Femmes as planned.”

The Tour de France Femmes gets under way in just over two weeks in Vannes on July 26. Kopecky missed the race last year, but she placed second overall behind her then-teammate Demi Vollering in 2023.

“Kopecky has performed well in Italy over the past few days,” said the SD Worx statement. “However, she experienced some discomfort in her lower back when climbing, so she did not want to push herself too hard.”