Lotte Kopecky wins fifth consecutive Belgian time trial title
SD Worx all-rounder beats Jooris in second, Goossens in third
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) secured a fifth consecutive elite women's time trial title at the Belgian Road Championships in Herzele.
Kopecky covered the 20.8km, figure-eight course with the fastest time of 29:15, beating runner-up Febe Jooris (AG Insurance-NXTG U23) by 1:01 and third-placed Marthe Goossens (AG Insurance-Soudal-QuickStep) by 1:07.
Kopecky has been undefeated in the elite women's time trial since first winning the title in 2019 in Middelkerke, moving on to also the title in 2020 in Koksijde, 2021 in Ingelmunster and last year in Gavere.
The time trial took place in Herzele with former pro Sofie De Vuyst designing the flat but technical figure-eight circuit of 20.8 kilometres. The women's field completed one full lap with the halfway checkpoint taken roughly at the centre of the figure-eight loop at 10.7 kilometres.
Marion Norbert-Riberrolle (Fenix-Deceuninck Continental) set the first fastest time under rain and a slippery road surface. However, Kopecky, who started last as the defending champion, set the fastest time by 25 seconds as she crossed through the mid-race checkpoint.
Kopecky continued to increase her lead in the last half of the circuit finishing more than a minute ahead of her nearest rivals; Jooris and Goossens. Sara Van de Vel (Fenix-Deceuninck Continental) finished fourth at 1:13 back, Britt Knaven (AG Insurance-Soudal-QuickStep) was fifth at 1:20, with Norbert-Riberolle sixth at 1:22.
Results
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Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.
Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.
She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.
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