The European Track Cycling Championships in Konya start under difficult circumstances for the Belgian delegation. Lotte Kopecky is completing an exceptionally busy program with five disciplines.
Busy schedule for Kopecky at the European Track Cycling Championships
Kopecky takes part in the team pursuit, elimination, individual pursuit, points race and team race. She returns to the slopes after a year without participating in the European Championships and after her spinal fracture last autumn. The track is once again an important part of her preparation after a less successful road season.
Her first appearance follows in the qualifications of the team pursuit. The Belgian women may be able to approach the national record on the fast track. Kopecky replaces Shari Bossuyt in the qualifications, but skips the first round and possible medal race to focus on the elimination, a discipline in which she has already won several world and European titles.
Combination of disciplines and final day
Two days later, Kopecky combines the individual pursuit with the points race. She has never ridden the pursuit at a major championship before, but she recently broke the Belgian record at the Belgian Championships. In Konya she will first compete in the qualifications and if she finishes in the top four, a medal competition will follow. The points race is also on the program later in the day, a discipline in which she has already collected four international titles.
On the final day she again forms a duo with Shari Bossuyt in the team race. The duo became world champions in 2022, but could not participate in the Olympic Games due to Bossuyt’s suspension. Kopecky previously also won the team race world title in 2017 with Jolien D’hoore.
Problems with luggage
The Belgian selection already partly traveled to Konya on Wednesday, but upon arrival a large part of the luggage turned out to be missing. A total of 25 items were lost, including bicycles and other equipment, according to Het Nieuwsblad. Other countries also reported missing luggage. Belgian Cycling hopes that everything will work out quickly. Kopecky himself will not travel to Turkey until Friday.
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