'I am not entirely satisfied' –Lotte Kopecky rues spring 'missed opportunities' after bad luck sidelines Liège-Bastogne-Liège challenge

Lotte Kopecky faced a challenging day at Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes, ending her spring Classics campaign on a disappointing note. The Belgian rider, who had secured victories at Milan-San Remo and Nokere Koerse earlier in the season, was considered one of the favourites for the Ardennes Monument. However, a puncture on the Côte de Wanne forced her to switch bikes twice, costing her valuable time and ultimately relegating her to 73rd place, nearly 18 minutes behind winner Demi Vollering. Despite the setback, Kopecky revealed that she had been feeling strong before the mechanical issues struck. She described how the peloton was rapidly thinning on the Wallonian hills, suggesting she might have been in a good position had misfortune not intervened. Her teammate Anna van der Breggen managed to secure a fourth-place finish for SD Worx-Protime, though she too was hampered by a puncture, highlighting the difficult conditions faced by the team. Reflecting on her spring campaign, Kopecky expressed mixed feelings. While she acknowledged satisfaction with her overall performance, she admitted there were missed opportunities that left her "not entirely satisfied." She emphasised the unpredictable nature of modern cycling, where success often depends on both form and fortune, suggesting that her results were a fair reflection of the season so far. Looking ahead, Kopecky is shifting her focus to the Vuelta España Femenina, which begins in early May. She does not intend to challenge for the general classification but aims to target stage victories during the race’s opening days before the mountainous terrain. This strategic approach indicates her desire to capitalise on her strengths while managing expectations for the remainder of the season.