Lotte Kopecky secured her title at the women’s world championship road race in Zurich on a challenging day marked by relentless rain and frigid temperatures. The 28-year-old Belgian cyclist demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming significant obstacles as she defended her rainbow jersey.
The race, characterized by inclement weather that left competitors feeling cold and fatigued, saw Kopecky momentarily dropped during the final climb when Demi Vollering surged ahead. However, hesitation among the leading cyclists, coupled with strategic missteps from the Dutch team, allowed Kopecky to rejoin the fray as six riders approached the finish at Sechseläutenplatz.
In the closing moments, Australian Ruby Roseman-Gannon launched her bid for victory, but Kopecky expertly tracked her move, ultimately surging ahead to claim gold. Chloé Dygert, representing the United States, earned silver—marking the best finish for an American woman in this event since Inga Thompson in 1991—while Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini took home the bronze.
Kopecky also took a moment to honor 18-year-old Muriel Furrer, who tragically lost her life in a crash during the junior race earlier in the week. A minute of silence was observed before the race, with many members of the Swiss team visibly emotional as they united in remembrance. Furrer’s family had expressed their desire for the World Championships to proceed.
“First of all, I want to express my condolences to Muriel’s family,” Kopecky stated. “The minute of silence at the start, seeing the Swiss riders in tears, is something you don’t want to see.”
Kopecky had set her sights on this championship since winning bronze at the Paris Olympics, opting to skip the Tour de France Femmes to focus on defending her title. She noted that the challenging 154.1km course required not only physical stamina but also mental fortitude due to the weather conditions and numerous climbs.
“It was a really frustrating day with the rain and cold, but on the climbs, it was warmer, and then you got chilled again on the descents,” she reflected. “I was freezing three laps from the end, but I tried to remain calm.”
Despite initial difficulties on the final climb, Kopecky maintained her composure and strategic pace, emphasizing the importance of timing her efforts throughout the race.
Prior to the race, Vollering, known for her prowess as a climber and recent victor of La Vuelta Femenina, had promised an exciting competition. The event delivered on that promise, featuring numerous breakaways and attacks throughout the over four-hour contest.
The absence of race radios added an element of uncertainty, preventing teams and riders from fully grasping the race dynamics. For much of the race, the Dutch team appeared to have the upper hand, with Vollering and three-time world champion Marianne Vos positioned well. However, Vollering ultimately fell short in the sprint finish, and Vos struggled in the final kilometers.
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