Kopecky wins stage four and takes overall lead at La Vuelta Femenina
After back-to-back second-place finishes in the opening days of La Vuelta Femenina, Lotte Kopecky won the fourth stage on Wednesday. The Belgian also moved into the lead of the general classification.
Despite a series of late attacks, the stage ended in a peloton sprint on a demanding, uphill final kilometre. Kopecky came out on top ahead of her Dutch teammate Anna van der Breggen, Italy's Letizia Paternoster and compatriot Shari Bossuyt.
Along with the stage win, Kopecky claimed the red leader's jersey. "It's lovely to wear it, but of course we came here to chase victories," she said. It is the 30-year-old's third win of the season, following victories at Nokere Koerse and Milan-Sanremo.
Franziska Koch, the German champion, sits second overall, six seconds behind Kopecky. In the points classification, Kopecky trails Koch with nine points. Belgian rider Lore De Schepper leads the young rider classification.
Three stages remain in La Vuelta Femenina. Thursday offers a final opportunity for the sprinters, with a 119-kilometre stage between León and Astorga, before two mountain finishes close out the race.
© BELGA PHOTO ELIAS ROM
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