{"id":1843273,"date":"2026-03-23T19:04:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T16:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1843273"},"modified":"2026-03-23T19:04:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T16:04:18","slug":"sometimes-it-is-up-to-me-to-bang-on-the-table-and-say-that-i-am-still-here-why-lotte-kopecky-demanding-milan-san-remo-leadership-is-an-ominous-sign-for-the-rest-of-the-classics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1843273","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Sometimes it is up to me to bang on the table and say that I am still here&#8217; \u2013 Why Lotte Kopecky demanding Milan-San Remo leadership is an ominous sign for the rest of the Classics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Sometimes it is up to me to bang on the table and say that I am still here&#8217; \u2013 Why Lotte Kopecky demanding Milan-San Remo leadership is an ominous sign for the rest of the Classics<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-23T19:04:18Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n23 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">How the Belgian getting back on track sets her up perfectly for Flanders and Roubaix<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\"><span class=\"font-normal\">0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"88cd6400-395f-431a-99f1-4c38fac2e124\">Just over a year ago, Lotte Kopecky was talking about a shift in focus towards trying to win the Tour de France Femmes overall. It was an experiment that never really got off the ground, and a season \u2013 aside from a third Tour of Flanders win \u2013 largely to forget.<\/p>\n<p>A knee issue ruined her winter and continued to affect her during the Spring Classics, and back pain stymied her yellow jersey dreams and saw her ride a relatively absent race \u2013 by her high standards \u2013 at the Tour.<\/p>\n<p id=\"88cd6400-395f-431a-99f1-4c38fac2e124-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">As she reached the end of the season, Kopecky&#8217;s win tally was only at three, having netted 16 and 14 in the two years prior and gone back-to-back at Worlds. Women&#8217;s cycling&#8217;s dominant force was suddenly a shadow of herself, doing most of her best work for the likes of Lorena Wiebes.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I&#8217;m hungry to race again and hungry to win&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky says goodbye to Tour de France leadership and brings &#8216;wildcard&#8217; energy back to the Spring Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I hope it gives me some freedom in the next races&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky shows threatening signs for Milan-San Remo with win in Belgium<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;She was the Plan A&#8217; \u2013 Defending champion Lorena Wiebes happy to play team role for SD Worx-Protime as Lotte Kopecky wins Milan-San Remo Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But with a reset for 2026, and a conscious decision to no longer chase GC at the Tour de France Femmes, Kopecky returned to her rightful spot with a career highlight victory at Milan-San Remo. It&#8217;s fair to say that she&#8217;s back at her best, and she almost knew she would be.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Pre-race, Kopecky had been clear in her words that both she and defending San Remo champion Wiebes would be equal options for the finale, telling media that &#8220;We are at the start with two leaders. It&#8217;s as simple as that. What if Lorena and I ride to the finish together in a small group? We&#8217;ll see later.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">With both making it past the horror Cipressa descent crash that changed the race, SD Worx-ProTime had Blanka Vas pace in the group behind lone leader Lieke Nooijen to ensure their leaders had a real chance over the Poggio, Kopecky as attacker and Wiebes as an ever-present sprint option.<\/p>\n<p>When Puck Pieterse lit things up and attacked, Kopecky followed, eventually outsprinting her, Noemi R\u00fcegg, and Eleonora Gasparrini to the line, but the Dutch champion revealed post-race that this was 90% the scenario they wanted and were expecting as a team.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RTQyAL6V82KTRcbARNX367\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RTQyAL6V82KTRcbARNX367 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>This is perhaps best highlighted by the Belgian accelerating towards the front of the group even before Pieterse had actually tried to kick away on the Poggio \u2013 she was so ready for any attacks, it was almost as if she preempted the move entirely. Kopecky may not have matched previous years in 2025, but the champion&#8217;s mindset hadn&#8217;t disappeared; she demanded to be the focus for SD Worx on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We couldn&#8217;t pronounce [our tactics] before the races, you know. Sometimes it is up to me\u2014how should I put it?\u2014to bang on the table and say that I am still here too,&#8221; said Kopecky to Sporza.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It is nice that Lorena fully supports that as well. There will be matches where it will be the other way around. This way, working together remains pleasant, we continue to respect each other, and we are happy to pull each other out of the fire. The fact that it turned out this way is wonderful.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We make agreements&#8217; \u2013 How Lorena Wiebes and Lotte Kopecky divide the spoils as they head into the Spring Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Just the way we like it&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky announces &#8216;fully packed spring campaign&#8217;<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"3ed91e5a-7fe6-4862-8fb8-dbd5028c2c6f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kopecky follows on the Poggio after Pieterse made her big attack <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"back-to-her-roots-back-to-the-top-3\">Back to her roots, back to the top<\/h2>\n<p id=\"15178653-8037-4817-a8ce-fb874b400dd9\">It&#8217;s an ominous sign for all of her competitors that Kopecky was demanding this kind of leadership, a ruthless sign of how hungry she is for this year&#8217;s Classics campaign after the disappointments of 12 months ago.<\/p>\n<p>With the two-time World Champion back firing on all cylinders, and Wiebes as the permanent most clinical finisher in all of cycling, men&#8217;s or women&#8217;s, it returns SD Worx-ProTime to their status as the team to beat in the Classics.<\/p>\n<p>From Gent-Wevelgem through to Paris-Roubaix, the Dutch outfit will never be without a heavy favourite, and after the likes of Visma-Lease a Bike, UAE ADQ and FDJ-United Suez had caught up and perhaps surpassed them, Kopecky being back in flying form brings the closer to being back on top.<\/p>\n<p>A fourth Flanders title from five attempts is looking as likely as ever, and preventing her from taking a second Paris-Roubaix Femmes title will be quite the task now, with momentum on her side. What we saw last season should go down simply as a blip for the Belgian; all she needed, it seems, was to focus back on the races best suited to her.<\/p>\n<p>Women&#8217;s cycling has long bred more versatility than men&#8217;s \u2013 ignoring a certain Tadej Poga\u010dar for a second \u2013 with the best riders at the Grand Tours, cobbled Classics and Ardennes Classics often overlapping.<\/p>\n<p>You can still do that, of course, but with more professionalism entering the sport and riders reaching the WorldTour younger and younger, specialisation, to an extent, seems to be more important than ever, and it&#8217;s exactly what Kopecky needs now.<\/p>\n<p>Finishing second overall at both the Tour de France Femmes and Giro d&#8217;Italia are results that may live on as anomalies as she continues on her career, but focusing on winning more Monuments and the biggest Classics is definitely the path for her to take.<\/p>\n<p id=\"d01d5aa9-c1e2-4916-8a13-95046b9aaa75\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-RTQyAL6V82KTRcbARNX367\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-RTQyAL6V82KTRcbARNX367 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">James Moultrie<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m hungry to race again and hungry to win&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky says goodbye to Tour de France leadership and brings &#8216;wildcard&#8217; energy back to the Spring Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I hope it gives me some freedom in the next races&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky shows threatening signs for Milan-San Remo with win in Belgium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;She was the Plan A&#8217; \u2013 Defending champion Lorena Wiebes happy to play team role for SD Worx-Protime as Lotte Kopecky wins Milan-San Remo Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We make agreements&#8217; \u2013 How Lorena Wiebes and Lotte Kopecky divide the spoils as they head into the Spring Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Just the way we like it&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky announces &#8216;fully packed spring campaign&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Photo finish at Midwest Cycling Classic goes to Lonneke Uneken as Martina Alzini celebrates too early for a second time<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If you don&#8217;t take risk, it&#8217;s not topsport&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney gives injury update following Milan-San Remo Women crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q3gwi2gKYagtgNS8Xy8nJ5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q3gwi2gKYagtgNS8Xy8nJ5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q3gwi2gKYagtgNS8Xy8nJ5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q3gwi2gKYagtgNS8Xy8nJ5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q3gwi2gKYagtgNS8Xy8nJ5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s cycling (races)<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Giro dell&#8217;Appennino Donne: Silvia Persico beats Lucinda Brand to take first win of season<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;She was the Plan A&#8217; \u2013 Defending champion Lorena Wiebes happy to play team role for SD Worx-Protime as Lotte Kopecky wins Milan-San Remo Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m getting one step closer every year, so maybe next year&#8217; &#8211; Noemi R\u00fcegg emotional after second Milan-San Remo podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J2avf6xE8QvUgi8SMahDTc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J2avf6xE8QvUgi8SMahDTc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J2avf6xE8QvUgi8SMahDTc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J2avf6xE8QvUgi8SMahDTc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J2avf6xE8QvUgi8SMahDTc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They didn&#8217;t look good&#8217; \u2013 Kim Le Court-Pienaar gives update on serious Milan-San Remo Women crash which saw Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney among the fallers<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Every detail counts at Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 How former pro Niccol\u00f2 Bonifazio taught Tadej Poga\u010dar the secrets of Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2gbdv3B8hCJKNgXrye8MLE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2gbdv3B8hCJKNgXrye8MLE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2gbdv3B8hCJKNgXrye8MLE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2gbdv3B8hCJKNgXrye8MLE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2gbdv3B8hCJKNgXrye8MLE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My legs felt heavy at the start of the race today&#8217; \u2013 Tom Pidcock comes through Milan-San Remo fatigue to claim third place on opening stage of Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3kB2UNkaftSo6LYS9xF2Va-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3kB2UNkaftSo6LYS9xF2Va-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3kB2UNkaftSo6LYS9xF2Va-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3kB2UNkaftSo6LYS9xF2Va-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3kB2UNkaftSo6LYS9xF2Va-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The traffic is a little bit criminal&#8217; &#8211; Why Tadej Poga\u010dar may never target Milan-San Remo the same way ever again <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/54YBwPgaUbNAJzxXd6nGZ3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/54YBwPgaUbNAJzxXd6nGZ3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/54YBwPgaUbNAJzxXd6nGZ3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/54YBwPgaUbNAJzxXd6nGZ3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/54YBwPgaUbNAJzxXd6nGZ3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It makes no sense to do that&#8217; \u2013 Eddy Merckx hails Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s unconventional journey to Milan-San Remo victory but argues that comparisons remain futile<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4gLqKSGtCsRKj52uduxXnT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4gLqKSGtCsRKj52uduxXnT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4gLqKSGtCsRKj52uduxXnT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4gLqKSGtCsRKj52uduxXnT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4gLqKSGtCsRKj52uduxXnT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tom Pidcock suggests Milan-San Remo victory would have been &#8216;a bit of a fluke&#8217; as he makes quick switch to GC mode for Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GStSdG87jGA2erKwyq6BLP-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GStSdG87jGA2erKwyq6BLP-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GStSdG87jGA2erKwyq6BLP-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GStSdG87jGA2erKwyq6BLP-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GStSdG87jGA2erKwyq6BLP-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Streaming<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How to watch Volta a Catalunya 2026 \u2013 Live streams, TV coverage<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-320-80.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-640-80.png.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-720-80.png.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-1280-80.png.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: Sometimes Poga\u010dar doesn&#8217;t need tactics to win<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Sometimes it is up to me to bang on the table and say that I am still here&#8217; \u2013 Why Lotte Kopecky demanding Milan-San Remo leadership is an ominous sign for the rest of the Classics<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Every detail counts at Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 How former pro Niccol\u00f2 Bonifazio taught Tadej Poga\u010dar the secrets of Milan-San Remo<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;My legs felt heavy at the start of the race today&#8217; \u2013 Tom Pidcock comes through Milan-San Remo fatigue to claim third place on opening stage of Volta a Catalunya<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Volta a Catalunya: Dorian Godon denies Remco Evenepoel in punchy finish on stage 1<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Sometimes it is up to me to bang on the table and say that I am still here&#8217; \u2013 Why Lotte Kopecky demanding Milan-San Remo leadership is an ominous sign for the rest of the Classics<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-23T19:04:18Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n23 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">How the Belgian getting back on track sets her up perfectly for Flanders and Roubaix<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"88cd6400-395f-431a-99f1-4c38fac2e124\">Just over a year ago, Lotte Kopecky was talking about a shift in focus towards trying to win the Tour de France Femmes overall. It was an experiment that never really got off the ground, and a season \u2013 aside from a third Tour of Flanders win \u2013 largely to forget.<\/p>\n<p>A knee issue ruined her winter and continued to affect her during the Spring Classics, and back pain stymied her yellow jersey dreams and saw her ride a relatively absent race \u2013 by her high standards \u2013 at the Tour.<\/p>\n<p id=\"88cd6400-395f-431a-99f1-4c38fac2e124-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">As she reached the end of the season, Kopecky&#8217;s win tally was only at three, having netted 16 and 14 in the two years prior and gone back-to-back at Worlds. Women&#8217;s cycling&#8217;s dominant force was suddenly a shadow of herself, doing most of her best work for the likes of Lorena Wiebes.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I&#8217;m hungry to race again and hungry to win&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky says goodbye to Tour de France leadership and brings &#8216;wildcard&#8217; energy back to the Spring Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I hope it gives me some freedom in the next races&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky shows threatening signs for Milan-San Remo with win in Belgium<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;She was the Plan A&#8217; \u2013 Defending champion Lorena Wiebes happy to play team role for SD Worx-Protime as Lotte Kopecky wins Milan-San Remo Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But with a reset for 2026, and a conscious decision to no longer chase GC at the Tour de France Femmes, Kopecky returned to her rightful spot with a career highlight victory at Milan-San Remo. It&#8217;s fair to say that she&#8217;s back at her best, and she almost knew she would be.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Pre-race, Kopecky had been clear in her words that both she and defending San Remo champion Wiebes would be equal options for the finale, telling media that &#8220;We are at the start with two leaders. It&#8217;s as simple as that. What if Lorena and I ride to the finish together in a small group? We&#8217;ll see later.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">With both making it past the horror Cipressa descent crash that changed the race, SD Worx-ProTime had Blanka Vas pace in the group behind lone leader Lieke Nooijen to ensure their leaders had a real chance over the Poggio, Kopecky as attacker and Wiebes as an ever-present sprint option.<\/p>\n<p>When Puck Pieterse lit things up and attacked, Kopecky followed, eventually outsprinting her, Noemi R\u00fcegg, and Eleonora Gasparrini to the line, but the Dutch champion revealed post-race that this was 90% the scenario they wanted and were expecting as a team.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RTQyAL6V82KTRcbARNX367\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RTQyAL6V82KTRcbARNX367 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>This is perhaps best highlighted by the Belgian accelerating towards the front of the group even before Pieterse had actually tried to kick away on the Poggio \u2013 she was so ready for any attacks, it was almost as if she preempted the move entirely. Kopecky may not have matched previous years in 2025, but the champion&#8217;s mindset hadn&#8217;t disappeared; she demanded to be the focus for SD Worx on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We couldn&#8217;t pronounce [our tactics] before the races, you know. Sometimes it is up to me\u2014how should I put it?\u2014to bang on the table and say that I am still here too,&#8221; said Kopecky to Sporza.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It is nice that Lorena fully supports that as well. There will be matches where it will be the other way around. This way, working together remains pleasant, we continue to respect each other, and we are happy to pull each other out of the fire. The fact that it turned out this way is wonderful.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We make agreements&#8217; \u2013 How Lorena Wiebes and Lotte Kopecky divide the spoils as they head into the Spring Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Just the way we like it&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky announces &#8216;fully packed spring campaign&#8217;<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"3ed91e5a-7fe6-4862-8fb8-dbd5028c2c6f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kopecky follows on the Poggio after Pieterse made her big attack <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"back-to-her-roots-back-to-the-top-3\">Back to her roots, back to the top<\/h2>\n<p id=\"15178653-8037-4817-a8ce-fb874b400dd9\">It&#8217;s an ominous sign for all of her competitors that Kopecky was demanding this kind of leadership, a ruthless sign of how hungry she is for this year&#8217;s Classics campaign after the disappointments of 12 months ago.<\/p>\n<p>With the two-time World Champion back firing on all cylinders, and Wiebes as the permanent most clinical finisher in all of cycling, men&#8217;s or women&#8217;s, it returns SD Worx-ProTime to their status as the team to beat in the Classics.<\/p>\n<p>From Gent-Wevelgem through to Paris-Roubaix, the Dutch outfit will never be without a heavy favourite, and after the likes of Visma-Lease a Bike, UAE ADQ and FDJ-United Suez had caught up and perhaps surpassed them, Kopecky being back in flying form brings the closer to being back on top.<\/p>\n<p>A fourth Flanders title from five attempts is looking as likely as ever, and preventing her from taking a second Paris-Roubaix Femmes title will be quite the task now, with momentum on her side. What we saw last season should go down simply as a blip for the Belgian; all she needed, it seems, was to focus back on the races best suited to her.<\/p>\n<p>Women&#8217;s cycling has long bred more versatility than men&#8217;s \u2013 ignoring a certain Tadej Poga\u010dar for a second \u2013 with the best riders at the Grand Tours, cobbled Classics and Ardennes Classics often overlapping.<\/p>\n<p>You can still do that, of course, but with more professionalism entering the sport and riders reaching the WorldTour younger and younger, specialisation, to an extent, seems to be more important than ever, and it&#8217;s exactly what Kopecky needs now.<\/p>\n<p>Finishing second overall at both the Tour de France Femmes and Giro d&#8217;Italia are results that may live on as anomalies as she continues on her career, but focusing on winning more Monuments and the biggest Classics is definitely the path for her to take.<\/p>\n<p id=\"d01d5aa9-c1e2-4916-8a13-95046b9aaa75\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-RTQyAL6V82KTRcbARNX367\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-RTQyAL6V82KTRcbARNX367 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">James Moultrie<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m hungry to race again and hungry to win&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky says goodbye to Tour de France leadership and brings &#8216;wildcard&#8217; energy back to the Spring Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I hope it gives me some freedom in the next races&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky shows threatening signs for Milan-San Remo with win in Belgium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;She was the Plan A&#8217; \u2013 Defending champion Lorena Wiebes happy to play team role for SD Worx-Protime as Lotte Kopecky wins Milan-San Remo Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We make agreements&#8217; \u2013 How Lorena Wiebes and Lotte Kopecky divide the spoils as they head into the Spring Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Just the way we like it&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky announces &#8216;fully packed spring campaign&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y5NqaEQ8iBfpdbTNzmKYvh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Photo finish at Midwest Cycling Classic goes to Lonneke Uneken as Martina Alzini celebrates too early for a second time<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zw6KFdF3qu2KZcMokptE7T-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If you don&#8217;t take risk, it&#8217;s not topsport&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney gives injury update following Milan-San Remo Women crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q3gwi2gKYagtgNS8Xy8nJ5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q3gwi2gKYagtgNS8Xy8nJ5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q3gwi2gKYagtgNS8Xy8nJ5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q3gwi2gKYagtgNS8Xy8nJ5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q3gwi2gKYagtgNS8Xy8nJ5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s cycling (races)<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Giro dell&#8217;Appennino Donne: Silvia Persico beats Lucinda Brand to take first win of season<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;She was the Plan A&#8217; \u2013 Defending champion Lorena Wiebes happy to play team role for SD Worx-Protime as Lotte Kopecky wins Milan-San Remo Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHSmn8TtspEmPASkt8VLQH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m getting one step closer every year, so maybe next year&#8217; &#8211; Noemi R\u00fcegg emotional after second Milan-San Remo podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J2avf6xE8QvUgi8SMahDTc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J2avf6xE8QvUgi8SMahDTc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J2avf6xE8QvUgi8SMahDTc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J2avf6xE8QvUgi8SMahDTc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J2avf6xE8QvUgi8SMahDTc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They didn&#8217;t look good&#8217; \u2013 Kim Le Court-Pienaar gives update on serious Milan-San Remo Women crash which saw Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney among the fallers<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Every detail counts at Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 How former pro Niccol\u00f2 Bonifazio taught Tadej Poga\u010dar the secrets of Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2gbdv3B8hCJKNgXrye8MLE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2gbdv3B8hCJKNgXrye8MLE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2gbdv3B8hCJKNgXrye8MLE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2gbdv3B8hCJKNgXrye8MLE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2gbdv3B8hCJKNgXrye8MLE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My legs felt heavy at the start of the race today&#8217; \u2013 Tom Pidcock comes through Milan-San Remo fatigue to claim third place on opening stage of Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3kB2UNkaftSo6LYS9xF2Va-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3kB2UNkaftSo6LYS9xF2Va-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3kB2UNkaftSo6LYS9xF2Va-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3kB2UNkaftSo6LYS9xF2Va-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3kB2UNkaftSo6LYS9xF2Va-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The traffic is a little bit criminal&#8217; &#8211; Why Tadej Poga\u010dar may never target Milan-San Remo the same way ever again <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/54YBwPgaUbNAJzxXd6nGZ3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/54YBwPgaUbNAJzxXd6nGZ3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/54YBwPgaUbNAJzxXd6nGZ3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/54YBwPgaUbNAJzxXd6nGZ3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/54YBwPgaUbNAJzxXd6nGZ3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It makes no sense to do that&#8217; \u2013 Eddy Merckx hails Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s unconventional journey to Milan-San Remo victory but argues that comparisons remain futile<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4gLqKSGtCsRKj52uduxXnT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4gLqKSGtCsRKj52uduxXnT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4gLqKSGtCsRKj52uduxXnT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4gLqKSGtCsRKj52uduxXnT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4gLqKSGtCsRKj52uduxXnT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tom Pidcock suggests Milan-San Remo victory would have been &#8216;a bit of a fluke&#8217; as he makes quick switch to GC mode for Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GStSdG87jGA2erKwyq6BLP-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GStSdG87jGA2erKwyq6BLP-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GStSdG87jGA2erKwyq6BLP-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GStSdG87jGA2erKwyq6BLP-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GStSdG87jGA2erKwyq6BLP-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Streaming<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How to watch Volta a Catalunya 2026 \u2013 Live streams, TV coverage<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-320-80.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-640-80.png.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-720-80.png.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-1280-80.png.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: Sometimes Poga\u010dar doesn&#8217;t need tactics to win<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Sometimes it is up to me to bang on the table and say that I am still here&#8217; \u2013 Why Lotte Kopecky demanding Milan-San Remo leadership is an ominous sign for the rest of the Classics<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Every detail counts at Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 How former pro Niccol\u00f2 Bonifazio taught Tadej Poga\u010dar the secrets of Milan-San Remo<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;My legs felt heavy at the start of the race today&#8217; \u2013 Tom Pidcock comes through Milan-San Remo fatigue to claim third place on opening stage of Volta a Catalunya<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Volta a Catalunya: Dorian Godon denies Remco Evenepoel in punchy finish on stage 1<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMilan-San Remo Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Sometimes it is up to me to bang on the table and say that I am still here&#8217; \u2013 Why Lotte Kopecky demanding Milan-San Remo leadership is an ominous sign for the rest of the Classics<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-23T19:04:18Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n23 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">How the Belgian getting back on track sets her up perfectly for Flanders and Roubaix<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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It was an experiment that never really got off the ground, and a season \u2013 aside from a third Tour of Flanders win \u2013 largely to forget.<\/p>\n<p>A knee issue ruined her winter and continued to affect her during the Spring Classics, and back pain stymied her yellow jersey dreams and saw her ride a relatively absent race \u2013 by her high standards \u2013 at the Tour.<\/p>\n<p id=\"88cd6400-395f-431a-99f1-4c38fac2e124-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">As she reached the end of the season, Kopecky&#8217;s win tally was only at three, having netted 16 and 14 in the two years prior and gone back-to-back at Worlds. Women&#8217;s cycling&#8217;s dominant force was suddenly a shadow of herself, doing most of her best work for the likes of Lorena Wiebes.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cC4x8Pp6mqWCJmYfiZ2zPX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I&#8217;m hungry to race again and hungry to win&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky says goodbye to Tour de France leadership and brings &#8216;wildcard&#8217; energy back to the Spring Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E6gZvEo47ryzGh9hp8L4rD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I hope it gives me some freedom in the next races&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky shows threatening signs for Milan-San Remo with win in Belgium<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MY9nBKorFiDikHC6qjfVBF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;She was the Plan A&#8217; \u2013 Defending champion Lorena Wiebes happy to play team role for SD Worx-Protime as Lotte Kopecky wins Milan-San Remo Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But with a reset for 2026, and a conscious decision to no longer chase GC at the Tour de France Femmes, Kopecky returned to her rightful spot with a career highlight victory at Milan-San Remo. It&#8217;s fair to say that she&#8217;s back at her best, and she almost knew she would be.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Pre-race, Kopecky had been clear in her words that both she and defending San Remo champion Wiebes would be equal options for the finale, telling media that &#8220;We are at the start with two leaders. It&#8217;s as simple as that. What if Lorena and I ride to the finish together in a small group? We&#8217;ll see later.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">With both making it past the horror Cipressa descent crash that changed the race, SD Worx-ProTime had Blanka Vas pace in the group behind lone leader Lieke Nooijen to ensure their leaders had a real chance over the Poggio, Kopecky as attacker and Wiebes as an ever-present sprint option.<\/p>\n<p>When Puck Pieterse lit things up and attacked, Kopecky followed, eventually outsprinting her, Noemi R\u00fcegg, and Eleonora Gasparrini to the line, but the Dutch champion revealed post-race that this was 90% the scenario they wanted and were expecting as a team.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RTQyAL6V82KTRcbARNX367\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-RTQyAL6V82KTRcbARNX367 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>This is perhaps best highlighted by the Belgian accelerating towards the front of the group even before Pieterse had actually tried to kick away on the Poggio \u2013 she was so ready for any attacks, it was almost as if she preempted the move entirely. Kopecky may not have matched previous years in 2025, but the champion&#8217;s mindset hadn&#8217;t disappeared; she demanded to be the focus for SD Worx on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We couldn&#8217;t pronounce [our tactics] before the races, you know. Sometimes it is up to me\u2014how should I put it?\u2014to bang on the table and say that I am still here too,&#8221; said Kopecky to Sporza.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It is nice that Lorena fully supports that as well. There will be matches where it will be the other way around. This way, working together remains pleasant, we continue to respect each other, and we are happy to pull each other out of the fire. The fact that it turned out this way is wonderful.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/epecAqbjxGLWyW6N8nja3X-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We make agreements&#8217; \u2013 How Lorena Wiebes and Lotte Kopecky divide the spoils as they head into the Spring Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/73VGxQVQZvboUe8NTx45bA-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Just the way we like it&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky announces &#8216;fully packed spring campaign&#8217;<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"3ed91e5a-7fe6-4862-8fb8-dbd5028c2c6f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmp7nRncoiGnooFGNDV6HX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kopecky follows on the Poggio after Pieterse made her big attack <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"back-to-her-roots-back-to-the-top-3\">Back to her roots, back to the top<\/h2>\n<p id=\"15178653-8037-4817-a8ce-fb874b400dd9\">It&#8217;s an ominous sign for all of her competitors that Kopecky was demanding this kind of leadership, a ruthless sign of how hungry she is for this year&#8217;s Classics campaign after the disappointments of 12 months ago.<\/p>\n<p>With the two-time World Champion back firing on all cylinders, and Wiebes as the permanent most clinical finisher in all of cycling, men&#8217;s or women&#8217;s, it returns SD Worx-ProTime to their status as the team to beat in the Classics.<\/p>\n<p>From Gent-Wevelgem through to Paris-Roubaix, the Dutch outfit will never be without a heavy favourite, and after the likes of Visma-Lease a Bike, UAE ADQ and FDJ-United Suez had caught up and perhaps surpassed them, Kopecky being back in flying form brings the closer to being back on top.<\/p>\n<p>A fourth Flanders title from five attempts is looking as likely as ever, and preventing her from taking a second Paris-Roubaix Femmes title will be quite the task now, with momentum on her side. What we saw last season should go down simply as a blip for the Belgian; all she needed, it seems, was to focus back on the races best suited to her.<\/p>\n<p>Women&#8217;s cycling has long bred more versatility than men&#8217;s \u2013 ignoring a certain Tadej Poga\u010dar for a second \u2013 with the best riders at the Grand Tours, cobbled Classics and Ardennes Classics often overlapping.<\/p>\n<p>You can still do that, of course, but with more professionalism entering the sport and riders reaching the WorldTour younger and younger, specialisation, to an extent, seems to be more important than ever, and it&#8217;s exactly what Kopecky needs now.<\/p>\n<p>Finishing second overall at both the Tour de France Femmes and Giro d&#8217;Italia are results that may live on as anomalies as she continues on her career, but focusing on winning more Monuments and the biggest Classics is definitely the path for her to take.<\/p>\n<p id=\"d01d5aa9-c1e2-4916-8a13-95046b9aaa75\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/sometimes-it-is-up-to-me-to-bang-on-the-table-and-say-that-i-am-still-here-why-lotte-kopecky-demanding-milan-san-remo-leadership-is-an-ominous-sign-for-the-rest-of-the-classics\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Racing Women&#8217;s Cycling Road Milan-San Remo Women &#8216;Sometimes it is up to me to bang on the table and say that I am still here&#8217; \u2013 Why Lotte Kopecky demanding Milan-San Remo leadership is an ominous sign for the rest of the Classics News By James Moultrie published 23 March [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1843273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1843273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1843273"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1843273\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1843273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1843273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1843273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}