The hoped-for German medal from fellow favorite Liane Lippert does not materialize at the end of the World Cycling Championships in Scotland. Lotte Kopecky wins the title and makes Belgium celebrate again.
When Liane Lippert was still struggling through the winding streets of Glasgow’s labyrinth, Lotte Kopecky had already completed the next Belgian coup on George Square.
After her fourth place a year ago, the German champion finished 19th at the World Cycling Championships in Scotland, clearly missing out on a medal in the road race. Instead, Kopecky triumphed after 154.1 kilometers, bringing Belgian cycling another big win two days after young star Remco Evenepoel triumphed in the time trial. Second and third place went to Dutch Tour winner Demi Vollering and Cecilie Ludwig from Denmark.
Lippert missed the crucial attack
“I’m very disappointed with the race. Expectations were higher than 19th place. We were here for the podium, we didn’t make it,” said Lippert, who missed the crucial attack of the favorite group 33 kilometers from the finish. She also didn’t feel well physically. The German team is still waiting for their first medal in the road race since 2014, when Lisa Brennauer finished second. The last of five titles was already 18 years ago. At that time Regina Schleicher had won in Madrid.
Even in the U23 class, which was held as part of the women’s competition, the hopes of time trial world champion Antonia Niedermaier for another medal were not fulfilled. The 20-year-old had missed the connection to the peloton and thus also to some of her direct competitors early on.
Kopecky: “It’s an incredible year”
Kopecky, who pulled away alone five kilometers before the finish, has risen to become a big star at the World Cycling Championships. Already on the track she had won two world championship titles in the points race and in the elimination race as well as bronze in the omnium. “It’s an incredible year. This title means a lot to me. It’s a dream come true,” said Kopecky.
“But the road is more important,” emphasized Kopecky, who caused a sensation at the Tour de France just a few weeks ago. After winning the stage at the start, she rode in the yellow jersey for six days and ended up second overall. Now she won the first Belgian title in 50 years.
There was no happy ending for the defending champion Annemiek van Vleuten, who contested her last big race. Two defects cost the grand dame of cycling all chances. The 40-year-old had won a lot in the past: two world championship titles each in road racing and time trials, tour victories in the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta as well as numerous classic successes.
Third place for Germany in mixed relay
The starting position for Lippert was not the best anyway. The field had barely arrived in Glasgow when the woman from Friedrichshafen was on her own. A larger field of 40 riders had formed, but none of the five German helpers was there. At that time, Lippert was still in the front position on the climbs. “The route is perfect for Liane. The short climbs are exactly what she will love and what she can do,” Ricarda Bauernfeind had given her colleague hope before the race. But it shouldn’t be enough.
Thus, the German yield in the elite races in the title fights in Scotland was manageable. The only result was a third place in the mixed relay, which has received little attention from many nations. There were three more medals in the junior division.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
