PostNord Danmark Rundt – Tour of Denmark

Rising Czech star Matyas Kopecky banished the demons from the brutal circuits of last year’s edition of the Vejle stage of the PostNord Tour of Denmark today by narrowly missing out on the top ten to finish in 11th place for Team Novo Nordisk.

“It’s a double-edged sword really,” said Kopecky. “Because on the one hand, I’m extremely satisfied to have finished this stage much better than last year, I’m also disappointed to have just missed out on the top ten. I had big motivation to do well here today and all in all it’s a big step up from 2023.”

A fast start saw the battle for the breakaway begin immediately and seven riders go clear. With 231km on the menu and the climbing coming all in the second half the peloton were content to let the move go and then ramp up the pace for the final circuits.

Kopecky was switched on close to the front throughout and as the last laps ticked down and the early attack was neutralized the final moves came, with the 21-year-old right at the front and in the thick of the action.

“When Di Lie bridged across to the front he opened the gas and it was like a train departing,” continued Kopecky. “We were on the limit behind, but I tried to attack again with two other guys but miscalculated how many guys were in front and burned my matches there.”

“That moment was when the top ten went and it’s a good lesson to try and stay as lucid as possible in those moments when you’re on the limit.”

Despite fatigue from the previous days effort setting in a little for Team Novo Nordisk in the finale of the third stage of the PostNord Tour of Denmark, the boys were inspired with Matyas Kopecky 15th in the sprint after a strong all round team performance.

“I could definitely feel yesterday’s stage in the legs today,” said Kopecky. “Every time I pushed a little harder or stood on the pedals my thighs were screaming, but the guys did such a great job over the final laps I wanted to have a go in the sprint.”

Team captain Andrea Peron and compatriots Filippo Ridolfo and Alessandro Perracchione were all at the front alongside Kopecky, lined out alongside Lotto, DSM and Tudor with the clear intention of staking a claim for the final.

“The guys were with me deep into the stage today,” continued Kopecky, “We had great communication and were up there at the front throughout, it’s definitely somewhere we have improved this year and I love the positive feeling we have within the group.”

“Meeting young Huxi this morning at the start definitely motivated us, a 10 year old local kid living with type 1 diabetes like us and being inspired by us is why we are here and something special. These are the memories that you keep with you.”

Despite being out of the top ten on the stage Kopecky is still second in the young rider classification and up to 16th overall with two big days of racing still to come.

All was going to plan on stage four of the PostNord Tour of Denmark, but as the race hit the final laps around Holbæk the script was torn up with a late attack holding off the sprinters teams and taking the spoils.

Team Novo Nordisk were set up well with 20km to go with white jersey Matyas Kopecky lined out behind team captain Andrea Peron and seemingly set for the sprint by the sea.

“We had a clear plan today,” said Peron. “And we tried to execute it in the final, but as everyone on the roadside could see the whole bunch underestimated the attack and without a coherent chase it was game over.”

“There will be a lot of frustrated teams out there, not just us but we missed also the chance for a top ten again today which is added frustration. Matyas is in the white jersey young riders jersey and we wanted a better result to make the most of these moments, that will have to come tomorrow now.”