Lotte Kopecky destroys field to defend Tour of Flanders crown, Demi Vollering second in SD Worx one-two

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) delivered a brilliant solo win to defend her Tour of Flanders title in style. The Belgian, who has been in scintillating form in 2023 including victory at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, pulled away with two team-mates and Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ) at the top of the Koppenberg, before going clear with Persico and then putting the hammer to the Italian on the penultimate cobbled climb, with 18km remaining. Ad From that moment on, Kopecky never looked like losing as she became the fourth woman to win on the Flemish cobbles for a second time.

Nokere Koerse‘Wanted to race no matter what’ — Kopecky wins Nokere Koerse four days after brother's death15/03/2023 AT 17:14 Kopecky came into the race a five star favourite to become only the second woman in Flanders history to take two titles in a row. And if not her then one of her team-mates was likely to do it. Of all the races SD Worx riders have pinned a number on this season, they have failed to win only once — at the Tour of the UAE.

From the start, the team left nothing to chance. They set such a high pace that it proved impossible for any wannabe breakers to escape the clutches of the peloton. A shade under 40km was covered in the first hour of racing.

It was not until 65km had been completed than any move at all was able to find clear air, and then it was not a large group, or even a small one, but a lone rider who took off through the hills of West Belgium. Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step) would, surely, have hoped for an ally (pun intended) and although her break was never likely to succeed it achieved for her more than the vast majority of the riders would manage. Across the cobbles and the climbs (and both at once) Wollaston's lead