Belgian rider Lotte Kopecky claimed the rainbow jersey this Sunday on the track, with Glasgow confirming predictions and closing the 2023 Cycling Super World Cup. She entered as a big favorite and delivered an exhibition of repeated accelerations until she secured the victory.
The approach was relentless. Kopecky trusted a plan built on constant pressure, and while some observers wondered if she would expend too much energy too early, she proved to be the strongest once again. A remarkable display by a cyclist who has already worn the world title multiple times on the track, now adding a seventh win in this series to her list. Five and a half kilometers from the finish, she finally shed the last rival, with Cecilie Ludwig of Denmark dropping to second place.
Crossing the line alone, the Belgian savored the moment as the new star of the event, surpassing the Dutch champion Annemiek van Vleuten. The silver medal went to Demi Vollering of the Netherlands, and Ludwig earned bronze.
Kopecky completed the 154.1-kilometer course, covering seven laps between Loch Lomond and Glasgow. In a challenging, selective layout of the Scottish city, she finished in 4h 02min 12s, at an average speed of 38.175 km/h.
Kopecky Attacks Repeatedly
The first bold move came with about 35 kilometers remaining, with two and a half laps to go. Kopecky tested Vollering, striking from the wheel and triggering a split in the peloton as about thirty riders formed a reduced pack. At that moment, defending champion Annemiek van Vleuten answered the challenge.
Kopecky and Vollering stood out as the central rivals. They responded to the challenge of defending the rainbow jersey and the white leader’s jersey with consistent pressure, though the Belgian often took the initiative.
Swiss rider Elise Chabbey launched an attack roughly 75 kilometers from the end, signaling that Kopecky was the favorite to claim victory. Chabbey became a hero for the day through a bold escape with more than 130 kilometers still to race. Her seventh-place finish highlighted an outstanding performance.
At 62 kilometers, the first significant attack by the eventual champion materialized, revealing early weaknesses in the peloton, though the selection did not settle. Chabbey continued solo for a while longer, pursued by Elena Cecchini of Italy.
The Swiss rider reached the final 50 kilometers with a little more than a minute advantage, and the time gap fluctuated as the final lap approached.
The race resembled an attacking carousel, with Kopecky always at the center. The gaps widened and narrowed like a curve, but the Swiss rider never crossed the finish line first. The bell signaling the final lap also marked the end of Chabbey’s breakaway.
Tension intensified in the last kilometers as Kopecky pressed forward, while van Vleuten, hampered by earlier misfortunes, and Ludwig failed to break away decisively.
The surge came from the English rider Elizabeth Deignan, who, along with Christina Schwienberger and Swiss rider Marlene Reusser, formed a compact group 12 kilometers from the end. A kilometer later, Kopecky pounced, reeling in the leading trio with Ludwig on her wheel. A final regrouping followed, but Kopecky maintained the upper hand.
Vollering returned to the hunt, but the race remained tightly contested, with almost everyone trying to force a break. Kopecky continued to show the strongest form as the decisive moves played out.
With 6.7 kilometers remaining, Kopecky launched another attack. Only Ludwig managed to respond, and within a short time the last counter came. Kopecky found herself alone and simply needed to execute the plan she had carried all day.
The first major spark of the day emerged from Chabbey, nearly 75 kilometers from the end, previewing the sequence that would unfold as Kopecky cemented her status as the top favorite.
At 62 kilometers, the Belgian’s first strike began to expose the initial frailties in the lead group, though the final roster had yet to be decided. Chabbey persisted for a few more kilometers with her solo effort, with Cecchini close behind.
The Mallorcan rider Blue García stood out as the first Spaniard to finish within the top ten, taking tenth place. Sandra Alonso secured 49th, while Paula Andrea Patino from Colombia finished 27th.
With more than 200 riders starting and rain snatching a share of the action, the early exchanges tested everyone. The pace remained high, and several contenders saw their hopes fade in the opening miles as conditions challenged the field.