One of the most epic races of the cycling season will take place next Sunday with the Ronde van Vlaanderen. Liv Racing will start with Alison Jackson, Evy Kuijpers, Jeanne Korevaar, Lotte Kopecky, Sofia Bertizzolo and Soraya Paladin.
The Ronde van Vlaanderen is a special race, especially for Lotte Kopecky as she will compete on home soil. “The experience around ‘Flanders’ Most Beautiful’ is always great. The feeling you have when you climb up the Oude Kwaremont cannot be described. That’s how special it is. Although it will be different again this year since there are no spectators on the side of the road for a second time. This does not make me any less eager. The Ronde is a race which everyone wants to add to their palmares.”
Kopecky is in good shape. “Gent-Wevelgem was a good rehearsal. I was of course disappointed that I didn’t win. But I cannot be dissatisfied with neither my performance in the race, nor about the form of the team. We didn’t make any mistakes, we were strong. There was just one person clearly stronger. Then you have to be happy with a second place, even if it is not nice to be the first loser in the race”, she says.
“I will be at the start on Sunday to win. This ambition is justified considering my results in recent weeks. But if I want to win, everything has to fall into place”, she says. “I expect a very open race on Sunday. There are many strong teams at the start as well as many big favourites. When I look at myself, at least I know that I am in good shape. And that I can count on a strong Liv Racing squad.”
Photo credits: Cor Vos