Successful European Championships for Team SD Worx

Successful European Championships for Team SD Worx

22/08/2022

The European championships are over. The Team SD Worx riders were successful, and Marlen Reusser and Lotte Kopecky collected three European titles. Click here for an overview of the European championships for Team SD Worx riders.

Linked race European Road Cycling Championships - Linked cyclists Lotte Kopecky Elena Cecchini Marlen Reusser Lonneke Uneken Christine Majerus

Track cycling opened the European Championships. Lonneke Uneken and Lotte Kopecky from Team SD Worx were in action. Lonneke Uneken finished tenth in the points race and eighth in the Madison race. Lotte Kopecky took gold at the first possible opportunity. The Belgian had chosen to focus on track cycling and that choice worked out well. Kopecky immediately won gold in the elimination.

A day later she added a European points race title to her tally. As world champion, she dominated the points race and took a three-lap lead. In the omnium - her final number - the race was interrupted for a long time. Kopecky was therefore unable to use the advantage of her big stamina and finished in fourth place.

Kopecky: "This was a successful three days on the track. I immediately felt that the legs were good. The gold medal in the elimination gave me a boost. I did not expect to win the points race like that. I needed these titles mentally after a lesser Tour de France Femmes."

Photos Kopecky: Credit Face Peeters

Next on the programme was the European Time Trial Championships. Outgoing champion Marlen Reusser was keen to defend her title. Although her preparation was not optimal, she performed well. In the first 700 metres, the Swiss rider gained 11 seconds on challenger and world champion Ellen Van Dijk and never relinquished it. At the finish she had 5.77 seconds left. "My communication wasn't working, so I didn't know where I stood. I'm happy to keep my jersey," said Reusser.

Photos Reusser: Credit Getty Images

Last on the programme was the road race. Demi Vollering had to withdraw from the race after her fall in the Tour of Scandinavia. However, Marlen Reusser, Elena Cecchini and Christine Majerus were present. In a very fast race with many attacks, Cecchini worked for Elisa Balsamo. In the inevitable sprint it was Italy versus the Netherlands in a millimetre sprint between Elisa Balsamo and Lorena Wiebes. The 23-year-old Dutch rider came out on top and is the new European champion.

"I didn't dare cheer until it was really certain. I didn't know, I was too focused on the line. There was a lot of pressure and so I am happy that I was able to finish", said Wiebes, who will ride for Team SD Worx from 2024. Both European champions will ride in the SD Worx colours next season.

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