Lotte Kopecky takes pole position for Paris-Roubaix

SD Worx continue destroying all in their path at Spring Classics

- Tom Davidson & Snowdon Sports

After sealing victory at the Tour of Flanders, her second in as many years, Lotte Kopecky told the press that she would afford herself just one day off the bike, before ramping up her preparations for Paris-Roubaix.

“We can go to Roubaix with confidence,” the Belgian said in her winner’s press conference. “Not thinking that we will win the race for sure, I will never do that. It’s a whole new day, a whole new race, and everyone gets a new chance.”

Some people’s chances, though, are better than others. In Flanders, Kopecky proved once again that she, and her team, are a level above the rest of the peloton. For a period in the race, SD Worx counted three of the four riders in the leading group, with UAE Team ADQ’s Silvia Persico joining as an uninvited guest.

When the time came to shake Persic off, Kopecky did so with relative ease. The reigning champion chose the Oude Kwaremont as her launchpad, accelerating beyond the Italian on the slippery cobblestones before stretching out the gap towards the line.