Does anyone like Lotte Kopecky for a fourth Flandrienne? Most likely not. The world champion wants to win a record number of overall victories on November 7 in the Kursaal Oostende, although four other nominees want to put a stop to that: Julie De Wilde, Justine Ghekiere, Marthe Truyen and Julie Van de Velde.
Geert Stevens, organizer of the Baloise Ladies Tour and jury member of the Flandrien, has been following women’s cycling for years. Stevens can call himself the expert on women’s racing in Flanders. His opinion on the five nominees.
Lotte Kopecky (27), SD Worx
“I have already seen the progress in recent years. But the fact that she made such big steps forward this year surprised me. Her versatility has now been proven. She amazed me especially in the ride to the Tourmalet in the Tour de France Femmes. We already knew that she is an excellent piste rider, we knew her grinta in the spring classics, we were already able to enjoy her sprint capabilities. But then there’s climbing involved? I can’t think of any riders who are so versatile. Lotte is the most complete rider. It will not be easy to achieve a similar record in 2024. Will she ever be able to win the Tour? Oh, that depends on the course. There are better climbers than Lotte. But I expect them at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Lotte has undoubtedly already ticked off the Olympic road race. That would be a huge gain. Golden Lotte in Paris, the chances are very high.”
Palmares Lotte Kopecky (2023)
World road championWorld elimination championWorld points race championThird at the omnium World ChampionshipsWinner Omloop het NieuwsbladWinner Nokere KoerseWinner Tour of FlandersWinner Veenendaal-VeenendaalWinner Dwars door het HagelandWinner BK Time TrialWinner BK on the road1x stage in the Tour de France FemmesWinner sprint classification Tour de France FemmesSecond Tour de France Femmes1x ride Thuringen RundfahrtWinner Thuringen Rundfahrt2x ride Simac Ladies TourWinner Simac Ladies TourSecond Strade BiancheSecond Amstel Gold Race
Julie De Wilde (20), Fenix-Deceuninck
“Julie is someone with potential. She had some bad luck this year with her fall in Bruges-De Panne. As a result, she was not able to fully do her thing in 2023. I fully believe in her, because she races in a very spontaneous way. She gets on her bike and gives it her all. She is always hungry to perform and show herself. Someone with a good flair, with an appearance and also very popular in the peloton. The results will follow in due course. Purposeful cycling is still a bit lacking. If she learns to focus more, she will make even more progress. That is a point to work on. Don’t forget: she still has a lot of growth potential, she’s only 20.”
Palmares Julie De Wilde (2023)
Third World Time Trial Championship for U21sWinner Spar Flanders Diamond Tour
Justine Ghekiere (27), AG Insurance – Soudal Quick-Step
“Justine is not a top rider, but she is someone who is very valuable. The better rider in the middle bracket. She started the season impressively with a final victory in the Tour of Valencia. That was a complete surprise. She scored well in the other stage races, again finishing better in the middle group. Stage races are her thing. She started cycling late and can eventually be a good lieutenant for younger riders in the team. With Jolien D’hoore as coach, she also has an excellent advisor.”
Palmares Justine Ghekiere (2023)
Winnaar Vierdaagse Setmana Ciclista ValencianaWinnaar bergklassement Vierdaagse Setmana Ciclista Valenciana
Justine Ghekiere’s palmares: Winner of the final classification and the mountains classification of the four-day Setmana Ciclista Valenciana (2.Pro)
Marthe Truyen (24), Fenix-Deceuninck
“Marthe is someone who has really emerged in the last two years. She has really blossomed in the team of the Roodhooft brothers. This year she finished third in Paris-Roubaix, and that is also the race that everyone talks about among the ladies. If you get on the podium there… She is also a good cyclo-cross rider and it is no coincidence that this skill also makes her excel in competitions where there is a bit (a lot) of cyclo-cross on the road. Cobblestones, mud, being skilled, it’s all up to her. She is a serious outsider in all such competitions. She is only 24, we haven’t seen the best of Marthe yet.”
Palmares Marthe Truyen (2023)
Third in Paris-RoubaixWinner Antwerp Port Epic Ladies
Julie Van De Velde (30), Fenix-Deceuninck
“She had the chance for eternal fame in the Tour. She was overtaken 75 meters from the finish. Julie has had some bad years, but has become a full-fledged rider again with the Roodhooft brothers. She is someone for the tougher work, participated in the mountains classification in the Tour and was second in the mountains classification in the tough Tour of Switzerland. She is now thirty. Will she improve? I don’t think so, but she’s back.”
Palmares Julie Van De Velde (2023)
Second mountains classification Tour of Switzerland One day leader of the mountains classification Tour de France Femmes