Kopecky Roars Back to Top with Victory in Milan San Remo Donne

Lotte Kopecky of SD Worx-Protime claimed a dominant victory at Milan-San Remo Donne, outpacing Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) in a reduced sprint finish. The 144km Monument was significantly impacted by a large crash on the Cipressa descent, which fractured the peloton and eliminated several contenders before Kopecky, Balsamo, and Vos made their decisive move on the Poggio, ultimately arriving at the Via Roma together.

This win marks Kopecky’s first Monument victory of the season and solidifies her position as a formidable force in the spring classics, especially after a relatively quiet start to her road campaign compared to her 2023 dominance. Her ability to navigate the chaos of the Cipressa and then unleash her power on the Poggio, culminating in a sprint against two other former world champions, underscores her versatility and tactical acumen, setting a high bar for her rivals in the coming weeks.

Kopecky's return to the top step confirms that form is temporary, but class, particularly in the Monuments, is very much permanent.