'My team-mates were just on fire' – Lotte Kopecky powers to victory on Vuelta Femenina stage 4

Lotte Kopecky delivered a commanding performance on stage four of the Vuelta Femenina, securing victory on a challenging uphill finish between Monforte de Lemos and Antas de Ulla. Her win not only marked her first stage triumph in this edition but also propelled her into the overall race lead, taking the red jersey from Franziska Koch by a margin of six seconds. The 115.6km stage, characterised by steady climbs and a tactical finale, played to Kopecky’s strengths as a powerful rider, enabling her to outpace rivals in the closing kilometres. The stage unfolded with an early breakaway of four riders, including Annalies Nijssen and Marta Jaskulska, who maintained a lead of around three-and-a-half minutes for much of the race. However, the peloton, led by Kopecky’s SD Worx-Protime team, steadily reeled in the escapees, catching the last two survivors just 2.5km from the finish. From there, Kopecky’s teammates, notably Anna van der Breggen who finished second, controlled the pace and responded to multiple attacks, setting up the Belgian rider perfectly for the final sprint. Reflecting on the race, Kopecky praised her team’s resilience and tactical patience, noting that previous near-misses had strengthened their resolve. She described the stage as deceptively difficult, with a tough finale that required constant vigilance and quick responses to attacks. Kopecky also highlighted the importance of bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint, which factored into her overall lead, underscoring the strategic elements that contributed to her success. The victory and new leader’s jersey mark a significant moment for Kopecky, who has previously finished second on two occasions in the Vuelta Femenina and faced setbacks including a relegation. With the red jersey now in her possession, she and her team are focused on continuing their pursuit of stage wins and consolidating their position in the general classification. The result also emphasises SD Worx-Protime’s strength and depth, with multiple riders featuring prominently in the top ten overall after stage four.