Kopecky in the thick of the action in Brussels

The latest Belgian racing campaign continues for Team Novo Nordisk and the world’s first all-diabetes cycling team continues to make its presence felt. Matyas Kopecky led the team home in fourteenth place from a select group.

Six riders made up the day’s main breakaway until another joined later. When they were brought back, the real racing got underway with 50 kilometers to go as several favorites attacked to form what was a select group upfront containing about 50 riders. Kopecky slipped into this group that would eventually contest the win where a solo attacker eventually crossed the line first.

“We again achieved some of our objectives today,” said Sports director Gennady Mikhaylov. “Matyas was upfront with the favorites ensuring we had representation up there. Once the breakaway went and we didn’t have anyone there, our attention turned to positioning Matyas and Andrea and making sure they were safe. We knew things would explode on the climbs and it happened exactly like that when the favorites made their move. Matyas managed to follow and got a good result against some of the bigger teams that had the numbers upfront to control their leadout trains even though it wasn’t enough to bring the solo victor back.”

“We were expecting the race to explode up the Bosberg or the Kapelmuur which it did in the end,” Kopecky said. “I dug deep there to follow the attacks and make it to the front group. Once I was there, I concentrated on positioning, especially when there was a lot of road furniture and some cobbles. There were several attacks from the group which softened the legs. The rise to the finish line definitely hurt and I gave it my all to get a result for the guys. My form is continuing to build and I’m enjoying these big challenges against the big teams.”