World champion Lotte Kopecky got here into the eighth and closing stage of the Giro d’Italia Ladies with a easy however not straightforward objective, to seize the one single second separating her from race chief Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek). Her objective was to complete prime three on the stage forward of the race chief and take the bonus seconds to take the highest step of the ultimate podium.
“I’ve nothing to lose and I can simply go all in at present and attempt to go for the bonus [seconds] on the end,” Kopecky mentioned firstly of stage 8 in Pescara.
However, to realize that objective, Kopecky and her SD Worx-Protime staff wanted to manage all assaults all through the 109km stage 8 which featured a really lengthy however comparatively shallow third-category climb within the first 50km adopted by the 13.7km climb to Castel del Monte, averaging 4.7%.
Assaults flew from the beginning when three riders escaped earlier than being reeled in earlier than the intermediate dash at Catignano. One other group of 4 made their approach off the entrance and managed to ascertain a spot of over 30 seconds earlier than being caught by the lowered peloton led by Niamh Fisher-Black (SD Worx-Protime) on the first-category Castel del Monte climb.
Assaults continued to fly as Kopecky needed to shut down a number of the strikes herself till the decisive break of three riders went away with 36km to go. With solely Fisher-Black main the chase from the 20-rider peloton, the hole elevated to 1:20 on the backside of the Acquasanta climb.
The break made it to the road with Kim Le Courtroom (AG Insurance coverage-Soudal) taking the win whereas behind Kopecky went to the entrance with 700 metres to go to attempt once more to attract the one second that she wanted however the reverse occurred when Longo Borghini was capable of distance Kopecky within the finale steep climb.
“It was not so good. At the moment was a fairly onerous stage, I imply the struggle was good, that is for positive, and shedding to Elisa isn’t a disgrace. She’s a brilliant good bike rider, so I even have loads of respect for her. But it surely was actually onerous to manage the stage, and everyone tried to enter the break, which is their proper, after all,” Kopecky mentioned after the stage.
“My teammates did what they might, after which ultimately Niamh gave 200% so we did every thing we might to attempt to win the GC, however ultimately, it is second, and it is nonetheless very good to change into second within the Grand Tour.”
The primary Belgian rider to complete on the Giro general podium, Kopecky comes away with a stage win, the factors jersey in addition to ending second within the general classification.
She couldn’t cover her disappointment after the stage. “For those who’re this near successful a Giro, then after all, you additionally wish to win it. In order that’s a bit bitter, however I believe general, I simply have to be pleased with my staff and of myself.”
“I’ve to have a look at the larger image. I got here right here to arrange for the Olympics, and I believe I am in actually good condition, and that, after all, provides me confidence.”
Kopecky will probably be racing the Time Trial and Street Race in addition to the endurance observe occasions on the 2024 Paris Olympic Video games.
