Track cycling world champion Lotte Kopecky extends European title

On the second night of the European track cycling championships in Grenchen, Switzerland, world champion Lotte Kopecky extended her European title in the elimination race on Thursday and secured the first Belgian medal of this tournament.

The 27-year-old Kopecky, the world champion and defending European title holder in the elimination race, beat France's Valentine Fortin in a sprint at the finish line. The bronze medal went to Dutch cyclist Maike van der Duin. The elimination race was Kopecky's first event at this European Championships.

"I was actually in control of the whole match," Kopecky said in an interview after the race. "It was very nice to defend my title in this jersey. When I go to a championship, I always feel a bit of pressure of having to confirm. It's nice when you can then do that straight away."

Kopecky will participate in the omnium and the team race events later this week. The victory is also an important step in qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

^{© SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP}