Belgium will head to the World Championships in Rwanda without their biggest star. Defending champion Lotte Kopecky has decided not to start, bringing an end to speculation over whether she would chase a third consecutive world title. “It’s time to reset,” was the brief explanation as the national team was unveiled today.
The decision comes after weeks of uncertainty. In mid-August, national coach Ludwig Willems admitted Kopecky had not committed to Rwanda, describing how she had withdrawn from the spotlight following the Tour de France Femmes. He explained that the rider needed a break from the constant attention: “Lotte has to be able to recharge her mental batteries. After the Tour I deliberately didn’t contact her because there were already so many people pulling at her sleeve. Sometimes it’s important to disconnect and come back to yourself.”
Photo Credit: GettyThe 2025 season has taken its toll. A disrupted winter caused by a knee injury, combined with a shift in training to target the Tour’s general classification, left Kopecky “chasing all season” in Willems’ words. She still managed a brilliant victory at the Tour of Flanders, but her July performances fell short of her own high standards.
Not a crisis, but a pause
For Willems, Kopecky’s absence is not cause for alarm but part of a natural cycle. “It’s possible she had a rebound effect after the Tour, but Lotte is exactly the kind of rider who learns from setbacks. I remember her first Tour, when she arrived with big expectations and wanted a stage win. That didn’t happen, but she bounced back very quickly. Mentally, it’s tough even for a big champion, but she is very resilient and always wants to come back stronger.”
Kopecky herself has hinted at the cumulative strain of recent seasons. The demand to perform consistently, answer questions daily and shoulder the weight of being world champion has built over time. Willems described her as an introvert who processes things privately, and stressed that she needed time and space to reset.
Rwanda ruled out
The women’s race in Rwanda will be contested on a demanding circuit that rewards riders in the mould of Flemish Classics specialists – normally the kind of terrain Kopecky relishes. Willems himself noted that she would be among the likely contenders had she been there. Yet ultimately, the decision was left to her. “I’m not going to tell Lotte she must do this or that – she’s free to decide,” he said.
Photo Credit: GettyThat choice has now been made. Belgium will arrive in Rwanda without the rainbow jersey on the start line, and a new champion will be crowned. For Kopecky, it is a chance to step away, recover, and prepare for the next phase of her career after several years spent under relentless pressure at the very top of the sport.
