Kopecky claims first top ten of the season

Team Novo Nordisk ended Tour de la Provence on a high note after Matyas Kopecky sprinted to sixth place on the final stage. The 22 year old narrowly missed out on a top 10 on the previous day after finishing 12^th. Quick thinking and quality bike handling skills ensured he avoided a crash in the last 100 meters that happened in front of him today to earn his best result of the season.

“The team was super, we rode on the front part of the bunch and they helped me really well. Then the last kilometers I stayed with Andrea and Umberto, which was really good. I had an angel on my shoulder with that crash at 200m to go. But that’s also where my cyclo-cross background came in good use,” Kopecky said. 

This was Team Novo Nordisk’s first participation in Tour de la Provence. Today’s stage was the longest over 190 kilometers. It took almost 80 kilometers for a breakaway to go but they were never given much more than two minutes. The peloton left it until the last moment to bring it back where it became clear a bunch sprint was contested. 

“The race is nice, but we had to really concentrate today with a lot of road furniture and today the crash was caused by a speedbump in the last 200m but in general, it was a good race for us. We’re leaving here with a very positive feeling.” Kopecky said. 

“This was our first participation here and we can leave with our heads held high,” Sports Director, Massimo Podenzana said. “Today in the final you could see the team in the front and really looking after each other. We got better each day and the riders can take this confidence with them into the next races.” 

Photos: Cassandra Donne