Lotte Kopecky Reclaims 'Wildcard' Role, Eyes Spring Classics Glory After Tour de France Leadership Hiatus

Belgium - Ekhbary News Agency

Lotte Kopecky Reclaims 'Wildcard' Role, Eyes Spring Classics Glory After Tour de France Leadership Hiatus

In a strategic career pivot signaling renewed ambition and a recalibrated focus, Belgian cycling powerhouse Lotte Kopecky has announced her departure from the demanding leadership role in the Tour de France Femmes, choosing instead to channel her formidable talents back into the Spring Classics. The three-time Tour of Flanders winner and Paris-Roubaix champion will embark on the 2026 season with SD Worx-Protime in a 'wildcard' capacity, a move driven by a deep-seated desire to return to "what I'm good at" and a palpable hunger for victory in her most cherished one-day races.

Kopecky's decision, revealed during a candid roundtable interview with select media, including Cyclingnews, at the dawn of the new season, marks a significant shift from her previous year's high-stakes pursuit of the yellow jersey. The 2025 season, which saw her attempt to lead her team in the Tour de France Femmes, was fraught with physical setbacks—a persistent knee injury, severe back pain, and a fractured vertebra—that severely hampered her performance and morale. "It feels much better. There will still be pressure, but last year, there was a lot, and I knew I wasn't at the level I wanted to be," Kopecky reflected, emphasizing the profound mental difference her current state of health and motivation represents. "I feel good. I'm happy. I'm motivated. I'm hungry to race. So, mentally, that is a big difference."

Her experience in 2025 was a stark contrast to her celebrated Grand Tour performances in prior years. Despite finishing an impressive second overall in the 2023 Tour de France and the 2024 Giro d'Italia, Kopecky clarified that in those instances, she operated without the burden of designated leadership. This 'wildcard' freedom allowed her to perform optimally without the intense scrutiny and strategic constraints that come with being the sole GC contender. "I love to be the wildcard, to be honest. These were races where there was no pressure on me; where I could do everything I could, but it didn't matter if I got dropped or not," she explained, highlighting the psychological advantage of a less structured role.

The challenges of 2025 extended beyond physical ailments; Kopecky admitted to losing crucial winter training, which compounded her difficulties throughout the season. "When I was sitting here last year [January], I was not even riding the bike. Physically, I was just not good enough. I tried to limit the losses, but I lost all my winter training. For me, it had followed me all season. That was the main problem," she recounted, referencing her withdrawal from the Giro d'Italia and a last-minute shift from leader to support rider at the Tour de France. This difficult period ultimately led her to conclude that an all-in Grand Tour leadership bid might not be her optimal path, at least for now. "It didn't turn out how we wanted, that is for sure. I'm happy I tried it. Now we know it is probably not something for me, it is also not in my head - at this moment - that I want to try it [again]."

While acknowledging her team, SD Worx-Protime, is increasingly focusing on climbers and general classification riders, potentially making her preferred 'wildcard' position harder to secure, Kopecky remains resolute in her choice. She found greater satisfaction and success in a more relaxed approach, proving her versatility by climbing with the best on iconic ascents like the Col du Tourmalet and the Blockhaus, even without the explicit GC mandate. "For me, it was a much more relaxed way. It is too much of a risk for me to go all-in for a Grand Tour," she asserted.

The upcoming 2026 season is thus poised to be a year of immense possibilities for the Belgian champion. Returning to her roots in the Spring Classics, Kopecky is in robust health, top form, and possesses an undeniable drive to accumulate as many one-day victories as possible. Her calendar will be heavily weighted towards these early-season monuments, with primary objectives including a historic fourth win at the Tour of Flanders, another strong showing at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and the pursuit of a third road world title at the Montréal World Championships. "I have a lot of possibilities in the Spring Classics. I think it was nice to improvise for one year, but now I want to get back to what I'm good at and where I know I can be really confident," she stated with conviction. "These are races that I really love to do, the races I like the most, and the most important part of the season will be the first three months."

Kopecky's refreshed perspective and renewed commitment to her strengths promise an exciting spectacle for cycling fans. Her candid reflection on past struggles and clear vision for the future underscore the mental fortitude required at the elite level of professional cycling. As she looks ahead, the sentiment is clear: "I'm hungry to race again and hungry to win again. 2025 is what it is; it wasn't great, but it wasn't extremely bad either. I'm looking forward to 2026." Her return to the Classics is not just a tactical shift but a deeply personal one, aiming to rekindle the joy and success that have defined her most illustrious career moments.

Ekhbary News Agency