World Cycling Championships 2023: Kopecky solos to gold medal

foto: Cor VosLotte Kopecky drops Cecilie Uttrup-Ludwig in the last lap of Glasgow's city circuit to solo to the World Title. Demi Vollering overhauls the Danish rider just before the line and takes silver, while Ludwig finishes in third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results women’s road race 2023 Worlds
1. Lotte Kopecky (bel)
2. Demi Vollering (nld) + 0.07
3. Cecilie Uttrup-Ludwig (den) s.t.
4. Marlen Reusser (swi) + 0.12
5. Christina Schweinberger (aut) + 0.34
6. Lizzie Deignan (gbr) s.t.
7. Elise Chabbey (swi) + 1.24
8. Annemiek van Vleuten (nld) + 2.48
9. Riejanne Markus (nld) + 3.51
10. Mavi García (spa) + 4.05

Race report
Eliska Kvasnickova is the first attacker after 10 kilometres of action. The race intensifies when she is caught and Moolman, Cant, Bredewold, Deignan, Labous, Chabbey and Vas open up 1 minute gap. The peloton regroups with 110 kilometres remaining.

Kim Cadzow attacks and enters the Glasgow circuit 40 seconds ahead of the peloton. She is caught before the finish passage. Reusser is next, while Henderson track her down. Markus, Paladin, Chabbey, Skalniak-Sójka and Ludwig also make it across, but, again, it’s to no avail.

Chabbey head out alone with 75 kilometres remaining to open up a 20 seconds gap. Markus goes after her and she is accompanied by Kopecky, Persico, Schweinberger, Reusser and Lippert before the remains of the peloton regains contact. Meanwhile, Chabbey extends her lead to 1.30 minutes.

The Dutch squad starts pulling with 40 kilometres left to race before Van Vleuten strikes 7 kilometres later from a select group with Kopecky, Vollering, Reusser, Deignan, Ludwig and Schweinberger. The six bring the Dutch star back.

Just before the bell for the final lap Van Vleuten loses contact due to a mechanical, while the others catch Chabbey moments later. Then it’s Deignan time. The former world Champion strikes 12.3 kilometres before the finish with Schweinberger in her wheel. rReusser goes after them and Kopecky jumps to her wheel. The two rejoin the head of the race.

Vollering brings the others back in contention on one of the climb in Kelvingrove Park before Ludwig counter-attacks. Kopecky goes with her to continue on her own on Scott Street. The Belgian powerhouse solos to the world title, while Vollering pips Ludiwg for silver with a long sprint to the line.

Other interesting reads: route and start list women’s road race 2023 World Cycling Championships.