Lotte Kopecky literally came out of the chaos this Saturday evening on the track of the Munich velodrome to win gold in the elimination race. The event was indeed marred by two crashes, the race being neutralized and then suspended. Main victim: the Italian Paternoster, reigning world champion, conscious, but taken to hospital for examinations.
After a long interruption, they were only 11 (out of 17) to resume following three eliminations and three abandonments. Always well placed in the peloton, Lotte Kopecky saw her adversaries fall one following the other, every two laps, to end up overtaking the Briton Georgi and becoming European champion. Dutchwoman De Zoete completed the podium in this event.
“The circumstances of the race were really special with these two falls. I am relieved not to have fallen… And to have been able to get back on the track. I am, of course, very happy with the result. It allows me to start this competition in the best way…” explained Lotte, already vice-world champion.
First event, first medal for the one who said she suffered from her back and gave up road racing following a busy first part of the season with superb victories in the Tour of Flanders and the Starde Bianche, then participation in the Giro and the Tour.
And second medal, in two days, for the Belgian delegation of track cycling led by Kenny De Ketele!
Jules Hester’s 7e you scratch
After having had to wait more than half an hour due to the suspension of the women’s elimination race, Jules Hesters set off for the scratch event. This saw the victory of the Portuguese Leitao who managed to take… two laps from the whole peloton! Germany’s Malcharek took silver and Poland’s Rudyk bronze. As for Jules Hesters, he finished in 7th place.
