Lotte Kopecky sets new record in Belgian race
Lotte Kopecky has become the first cyclist to win the ladies’ Tour of Flanders three times by beating everyone to the line in the race’s 22nd edition.
The 29-year-old Belgian athlete shows off the coveted world champion’s rainbow bands, and Kopecky showed again why she deserves them in the Tour of Flanders, perhaps the most famous one-day-race in Belgium.
It was on Oude Kwaremont, a cobbled climb so legendary that it is a centrepiece of numerous Belgian classic races, that Kopecky attacked. Three of her competitors followed in her wheel and this breakaway of four ladies made it to the finish line. Kopecky outclassed the three other riders and sprinted to victory with ease.
Four other women have managed to win the legendary race colloquially known as Flanders’ finest twice, but only Lotte made it to three. In the world champion’s jersey. Alstublieft, as the locals would say.