Evenepoel and Kopecky win Flandrien titles, Kopecky speculates about Tour: "What makes it attractive for me is..."
Cycling
In addition to the elections in the United States, it was election time in Belgium. The Flandrien and Flandrienne of the Year award was chosen for the best Belgian cyclists. This result was unsurprising: the awards went to Remco Evenepoel and Lotte Kopecky.
So, after last month's Crystal Bicycle presentation, the two could add another award to their cupboard. Evenepoel and Kopecky were the apparent winners: the Soudal Quick-Step rider won gold twice at the Olympics, finished third in the Tour de France, and became the world time trial champion again. Kopecky's wins included Paris-Roubaix and the Strade Bianche and prolonged her world road title.
Unlike Evenepoel, the SD Worx-Protime cyclist was present at the gala. She received the award in a red glitter dress. "You get used to it a bit, but the recognition is still nice," she said about winning many awards in front of the microphones. Although she has now received enough awards to decorate an entire room, she puts the trophies away for now. "I don't want to sound disrespectful, but I'm collecting everything together in the attic. I must think about what to do with all those trophies."
Read more below the photo.
Kopecky to the Tour? "What makes it attractive to me is ..."
At the gala, the two-time world champion shed a little light on the next season, although she did not want to say too much about her possible program in 2025. In the spring, she wants to expand her classics program a bit: for example, the Amstel Gold Race is a new challenge, but Liège-Bastogne-Liège is also possible. But the elephant in the room is the Tour de France. Will she compete there? "To know that, I need to study the Tour course first. Is it something, or can I turn the page right away? It has to be worth making those choices and sacrifices if I want to try it. What makes it attractive is that I was already second in the Tour and Giro without any specific preparation. Then you tend to think more quickly, what if...?"
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024