Lotte Kopecky proves the strongest in Siena

World champion continues season assault with form-building Strade Bianche win

Lotte Kopecky will carry a triumphant swagger into the cobbled Classics later this month after her victory at Strade Bianche on Saturday, a race in which she said she had “not the best legs”.

The world champion bounced back in Tuscany from the disappointment of an agonising second place at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad to continue her almost perfect start to 2024. She closed down early moves across the gravel, attacked with 10km to go alongside Lidl-Trek’s Elisa Longo Borghini, and then finally dispatched the Italian with 500m remaining, on Siena’s steep, narrow Via Santa Caterina.

Having won the previous three editions, an SD Worx-Protime victory looked inevitable at Strade Bianche. The only question that hung over the rain-spattered morning was whether it would be the reigning champion, Demi Vollering, or the team-mate she beat in a bike-throw last year, Kopecky, now dressed in the rainbow jersey.

“Halfway through the race, I didn’t really think I could win today,” the world champion said afterwards. “I didn’t really feel good from the beginning onwards, but then I know that sometimes I really come through. I’ve had this before, not the best legs, but also they don’t get any worse.”