Kopecky claims elite world road race

GLASGOW — Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky crowned a magnificent UCI World Championships with a blistering late attack to win the women’s elite road race on the streets of Glasgow.

Kopecky, who won two golds on the track during the championships, burst from a small group of leaders on the final lap of the city circuit and powered to victory.

Denmark’s Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig initially managed to go with Kopecky but she could not cope with the Belgian’s speed.

Kopecky cruised over the line at the end of the 150km trek, celebrating her first world road title.

Dutchwoman Demi Vollering, who won the recent Tour de France Femmes, pipped Uttrup Ludwig to the line to take silver.

Kopecky’s hat-trick of golds from the Glasgow world championships included her titles in the elimination and points races at the Chris Hoy Velodrome where she also won a bronze medal in the omnium.

Kopecky had opened a sizeable gap by the time she crested the summit, and although Uttrup Ludwig remained in sight all the way to the line, the Belgian would not be denied. She made light work of the final kick up Montrose Street and she had time to savour her victory as she crossed the line.

“It’s already been an amazing year and also a very hard year,” Kopecky said before mounting the podium. “It’s kind of a dream that comes true and I hope to enjoy riding in the rainbow jersey next year.”

Silver medallist in Wollongong a year ago, Kopecky lined up as the outstanding favourite after a season that has seen her claim victories at the Tour of Flanders and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and after a sparkling Tour de France Femmes, where she won the opening stage and held yellow for six days en route to second place overall. On the track in Glasgow last week, meanwhile, she claimed rainbow jerseys in the elimination race and the points race.

“I thought after those two world titles on the track, it would be almost impossible to win again. Three World Championships in seven days is too crazy,” Kopecky said. “I didn’t dream of this when I was a little girl, back then I just wanted to be competitive on the bike. I never knew I would become this good.