Lotte Kopecky abandons her aspirations for the GC in the upcoming Tour de France Femmes, as she states it is the most favorable decision.
The upcoming Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, set to start in just two days, will see a change in strategy for Lotte Kopecky. The Belgian cyclist, who wore the yellow jersey for six days in the Tour de France in 2023, has decided to focus on stage wins instead of a General Classification (GC) bid.
Kopecky's decision comes after a lingering back injury she sustained during the Giro d'Italia Women disrupted her form and prevented her from contending seriously for the GC. As a result, her team SD Worx - Protime decided that she would start the Tour with a focus on stage victories and later assess day-by-day for possible GC opportunities, rather than aiming directly for the overall win from the outset.
During the Giro, Kopecky fell nearly three minutes behind by stage 3, forcing her to shift into a support role for her teammates Lorena Wiebes and Anna van der Breggen. Her difficulty reflected the heightened competitiveness and reshaped dynamics of the women’s peloton in 2025, where many top riders vie for victories, and even favorites face thin margins and strong challenges.
Looking ahead, Kopecky expressed a need for a mental break after the Tour to recover, with plans to refocus on the final major target of her 2025 season—the World Championships—where the course suits her strengths. She hopes to regain full form and return to top-level competition in the future.
In the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, Kopecky is targeting the first two stages, which finish on punchy, uphill drags, for potential victories. Her team, known for its strength and capability of winning many stages, will provide strong support. Lorena Wiebes, the team's sprinter, is also primed for the flatter days three and four.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift promises to be an exciting event, and with Kopecky focusing on stage wins, fans can look forward to potential victories from the fifth day onwards. Despite relinquishing the idea of winning the yellow jersey in this year's Tour, Kopecky remains a formidable contender for stage victories.
[1] Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift: Lotte Kopecky changes GC bid due to lingering back injury
[2] Lotte Kopecky abandons Giro d'Italia Women due to lower back pain
[3] Women's peloton more competitive in 2025, with many top riders vying for victories
[4] Lotte Kopecky targets World Championships after Tour de France Femmes
[1] After being affected by a lingering back injury sustained during the Giro d'Italia Women, Lotte Kopecky has decided to focus on stage wins instead of a General Classification bid in the upcoming Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
[2] Due to lower back pain during the Giro d'Italia Women, Lotte Kopecky was forced to abandon the race and shift into a support role for her teammates.
