Lotte Kopecky starts the season highly motivated and eager

Team SD Worx-Protime brings a strong team to the start of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes, Anna van der Breggen, Mischa Bredewold, Elena Cecchini and Femke Markus. Lotte Kopecky has fond memories of the opening classic, where she rode solo to victory in 2023 and finished second in 2024. After a year away, she hopes to start the 2026 season with a good performance. ‘I've had a trouble-free winter. The signs are good, but this is the first real test. It's only in competition that you know how the level compares,’ says Kopecky.

Lotte Kopecky: "I'm really looking forward to starting the season. During training camp, I was counting down the days until I could race again. The day after tomorrow, it will finally be time. Maybe it's a bit old school, but for me, the racing season only really starts with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Without wanting to detract from the Tour Down Under, UAE Tour or Valencia, for the average racing fan, this is the real start. At the Omloop, it's really all about the big prizes."

"I've always preferred the classics period. Even though I have other goals in the summer, I always think it's important to have a good spring. Just as you need a good winter to be good in the spring, a strong classics campaign is often the basis for success in the summer. Then you're in the right flow."

"Did I have a good winter? Fortunately, yes. Compared to last year, I will be able to start my season feeling much better. It was a winter without too many incidents. I was able to do what I wanted: I completed some great training camps with lots of training hours. The tests were good, although that doesn't fully reflect the race rhythm. But the signs are positive and that gives me confidence to start the season."

"Am I aware that I am starting my fifth season wearing the colours of Team SD Worx-Protime? It doesn't feel like it's already my fifth year. That's a good sign. Overall, the team made a strong impression. We have a good core. We are starting in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with a balanced team of strong riders who can try to control the race. We have strong finishers. This team offers opportunities to be successful in different scenarios. That suits Team SD Worx-Protime best."

"Am I aware that I am starting my fifth season wearing the colours of Team SD Worx-Protime? It doesn't feel like it's already my fifth year. That's a good sign. Overall, the team made a strong impression. We have a good core. We are starting in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with a balanced team of strong riders who can try to control the race. We have strong finishers. This team offers opportunities to be successful in different scenarios. That suits Team SD Worx-Protime best."

"Do I have specific goals this spring? I don't really have one particular race that I absolutely want to win this season. I prefer to go into every race with an open mind. I want to see how the race unfolds, where opportunities arise and where I can force things. The advantage of our team is that we can often play different cards. If you don't necessarily start with the best legs, you don't have to worry because your teammates can finish it off for you. That's what sometimes gets you through a race like that. I hope to get 2026 off to a good start with a strong performance in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. It's a beautiful course with a very nice finish. In 2023, I was able to win in a nice way and I've already finished second, so the finale suits me. That gives me extra motivation," concludes Kopecky.