Lotte Kopecky Defends World Championship Title

Lotte Kopecky of Belgium successfully defended her title at the women's road race during the UCI World Championships in Zurich, winning in a tightly contested six-way sprint finish. Despite challenging weather and a difficult course featuring steep climbs, Kopecky timed her final attack perfectly to fend off strong competitors, including American Chloé Dygert and Italian Elisa Longo-Borghini. The race, marked by a minute of silence for Swiss rider Muriel Furrer who tragically died in a crash prior, concluded with 24 finishers out of 75 starters. Kopecky’s victory adds to her accolades following her championship win last year. Meanwhile, Dutch cyclist Puck Pieterse earned her first rainbow jersey in the Under-23 category, showcasing her burgeoning talent. The event highlighted both the physical and emotional challenges faced by riders in elite cycling.