Lotte Kopecky wins first ever road race world title

Lotte Kopecky was crowned world road cycling champion on Sunday in Glasgow, Scotland. Kopecky's victory is the first Belgian world title in 50 years: the last Belgian to win the title was Nicole Vandenbroeck in 1973.

With seven kilometres to go, Kopecky launched a solo attack that was enough to secure her victory. It is her first rainbow jersey on the road: she won silver last year in Wollongong, Australia. Dutch rider Demi Vollering finished second, while Denmark's Cecilie Uttrup took bronze.

"Becoming world champion three times in one week is crazy"

"Belgium is a great cycling country, but the women's team was lagging behind. I'm proud that we showed that we can win the biggest races as a team," said an emotional Kopecky afterwards. "To become world champion three times in one week is crazy. As a young girl I wanted to be competitive, but I never thought I would be this good.

Kopecky's victory brings to a close an incredible season. Last week she won two gold medals and a bronze in the track World Cup. Earlier this year she won the Tour of Flanders, a stage and the points jersey in the Tour de France.

It is Belgium's second gold medal on the road. Last Friday, Evenepoel became the first Belgian to win the world time trial championship. Last Sunday, Wout Van Aert won silver in the men's road race.

^{© BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS}