Regardless of racing Trofeo Alfredo Binda final weekend and Milan-San Remo this Saturday, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) has made a hop again from Italy to Belgium for Wednesday’s Nokere Koerse in what could possibly be a closing tune-up earlier than La Classicissima.
Kopecky, who’s getting back from a again harm that derailed a lot of her 2025 season, is having a quiet begin to 2026 by her excessive requirements, three race days in with just one high 10 within the bag, scoring seventh at Binda final weekend.
Many riders are staying in Italy between Binda and San Remo, coaching on the roads of Saturday’s race, however Kopecky has opted to race midweek again in Belgium. Not often a rider who prioritises quantity, is she searching for a hit-out earlier than chasing victory on the weekend?
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Kopecky’s teammate Lorena Wiebes is the defending champion in San Remo, however the pair have been clear concerning the agreements and sharing they do in the course of the Classics, so the Belgian might additionally go for her personal probabilities on Saturday.
Final yr, the 30-year-old did not even begin racing till Milan-San Remo, and waited till the Tour of Flanders for her opening victory, however it’s clear she desires to get again on top of things sooner in 2026 after her misfortunes late final yr.
„I feel I might nonetheless use some race rhythm,“ Kopecky informed Het Nieuwsblad initially of Nokere Koerse on Wednesday morning.
„Within the Omloop Nieuwsblad I wasn’t within the closing because of mechanical issues, and within the Strade [Bianche] I simply wasn’t bodily adequate,“ she continued.
„So it was good for my psychological state that simply to be within the closing of Alfredo Binda. That good feeling will come again race after race, so it’s definitely not unhealthy to incorporate Nokere in as we speak’s schedule.“
With Wiebes not in motion in Belgium, two-time Kopecky will possible be SD Worx’s important card to play, going up in opposition to the likes of Lara Gillespie (UAE Workforce ADQ) and Shari Bossuyt (AG Insurance coverage-Soudal) within the cobbled race, and maybe taking her first win of the season.
„We’re beginning right here with a robust workforce. We now have a number of playing cards to play, which is good. It’s a stunning however very powerful end, so I’m curious to see how the race will unfold,“ she stated to Het Nieuwsblad.
A 3rd win would see Kopecky maintain the document for wins at Nokere Koerse, however she stated „that does not curiosity me“, solely including extra to the notion that the first intention on Wednesday is to construct race rhythm and confidence forward of the primary Monument of the season.
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