Kopecky sprints straight into top ten on final stage in Valencia

Team Novo Nordisk concluded its first race season of the season in Valencia today with versatile Czech sprinter Matyas Kopecky scoring the teams first top ten of the year after Briton Nathan Smith had animated in the early breakaway at Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana.

“I was surprised at how good I felt today considering how much I suffered yesterday,” said Kopecky. “I felt strong throughout the stage, surfed the wheels well going into the sprint and I was a little boxed in at the end, but very happy with a top ten to start the year with.”

“We ticked all our boxes this week, breakaways, riding well together as a team and a good result in the only sprint opportunity. Now we need to build on this good start in France next week.”

After beginning with a Team Time Trial in Orihuela the race quickly moved into the mountains of the Costa Blanca for three punchy stages in a row as first Kopecky, then Filippo Ridolfo and finally Smith all took opportunities to stretch their legs in the breakaway. 

“It feels great to be back racing,” said Smith. “The winter felt longer than it actually was because last season finished earlier than expected due to injury, so being back and especially being back and out front in a break is a good feeling.”

“I recovered well from the last stages and with today being only 100km and flat, there was nothing to lose by giving it a go and I enjoyed every minute of it. As Matyas said earlier, we need to build on this now and keep it up in the next races.”

Photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency