Kopecky sprints to eighth in Circuit Franco-Belge

Team Novo Nordisk got its next big block of Belgian racing underway with a fine 8^th place by Matyas Kopecky in Circuit Franco-Belge. As is more often than not, the race came down to a sprint finish from a very select group and the 21-year-old showed grit and determination to wedge himself into the group amongst the World Tour teams.

The day already started off on a positive note when Nathan Smith chose the right move to make the day’s breakaway. The attack was the 23-year-old’s second breakaway of the season, showing the 2024 professional debutant is quickly finding his feet in the pro ranks.  

“The guys nailed the objective today,” said Sports director Gennady Mikhaylov. “We wanted to get someone into an early move so we were visible in the front. When the break came back there was still a way to go to the finish so we knew there would be counterattacks. Eventually, the peloton was happy for only two guys to slip away and our job was to look after Matyas and Andrea and make sure we had someone represented as the peloton got smaller and smaller and we prepared for a sprint.”

“I really like this kind of racing here in Belgium and am very familiar with it having grown up in Holland,” Kopecky said. “Earlier in the season, I felt like we had some success here in Belgium but I also knew I could show myself even more. Today was super hard but I fought until the end and gave it my all, especially on the final climb to the finish line. This is a good start and a reward for the work we’ve been doing as a team in the last few races. My shape and feeling is good and we have a great atmosphere in the group. Now it’s time to recover and focus on what’s to come this weekend.”

The world’s first all diabetes cycling team will now turn its attention to Brussels Cycling Classic on 2 June.