In 2025, Lotte Kopecky will focus everything on the Tour de France. In Belgium, it's the day dedicated to the presentation of Sd Worx Pro Time and media interviews, with the world champion barely holding back a laugh at this direct, unequivocal announcement. If just a few years ago it was completely impossible for many, now Lotte has decided to launch herself into this challenge that seems to be the most difficult of her career. The Belgian superstar has never hidden her desire to improve, nor her ambition to try to win everything; now that "everything" is starting to have a name and, above all, is becoming closer.

"In the last two seasons, I finished second twice in a grand tour, and this performance made me reflect a lot, but above all, believe in my abilities. I said to myself, 'Why not try?' It feels strange to say it, but my entire preparation will be focused on the Tour. I want to be at the start in peak form with a concrete possibility of aiming for the overall victory. It's weird for me to say something like this, and probably until a couple of years ago, it wouldn't have been possible. But many things have changed; I've grown as an athlete and especially improved a lot in climbing. But be careful, this doesn't mean I won't do the classics - those will always remain my favorites," says Lotte, announcing her radical change in objectives. Just arrived in the professional ranks with great track experience, she seemed destined to focus entirely on sprints, then became one of the strongest in the classics, and now she's ready for the next step.

Lotte Kopecky has always been a level-headed girl and knows very well that deciding to bet everything on the Tour is not an easy choice, nor one without consequences. If until 2024 her season was focused on giving her all immediately in the classics, everything is set to change radically. Certainly, specific training to improve climbing has been intensified, but that's not all - the race calendar itself has undergone a sudden upheaval: the world champion will have a longer rest period, and if we were used to seeing her already on fire in February, we'll now have to wait until the newborn Milano-Sanremo, skipping the Strade Bianche of which she is the reigning champion. "It was a difficult choice, but I believe that to aim high, you need a lot of calm. It will be a very different season than usual, and I really need tranquility and, above all, no setbacks. My first race will be Milano-Sanremo, and I can't wait to race it. We don't know the route yet, but I believe the last kilometers are very similar to the men's: a flat finale preceded by a very explosive climb that suits my characteristics perfectly. Actually, I've never done the Poggio, I've only seen it on TV, and it has always fascinated me. I'm very curious and believe it's a great opportunity for everyone. Maybe one day it could become the first women's race over 200 km, but it's too early to say."

Lotte Kopecky's choice to focus on the Tour de France confirms the great change taking place in a women's movement that in the last two seasons has been experiencing exponential growth. Thanks to recent movements, the peloton will have more powerhouses, and among the many returns, it seems we'll witness a spectacular show. "There are many changes happening in the group. There are several very strong teams, and this will certainly do wonders for women's cycling, creating more excitement, but it also means we'll need to prepare even better. It's also electrifying to see champions like Pauline Ferrand Prevot getting back in the game. I've never raced with her, and I'm curious to see how she'll perform," continues Kopecky, who can't help but bring up the return of Anna Van Der Breggen. "I'm extremely happy to be able to work with Anna. She has always been my idol, a great point of reference. I must admit that when she told us she would return to the saddle, I didn't believe it. She was extremely courageous to make this decision, and I hope to race often by her side. I have a lot to learn, and I believe we can work really well together."

We have never doubted Lotte's determination, and this change of trajectory confirms her desire to be an all-round champion capable of winning everywhere without ruling anything out. The 2025 season promises to be a thrilling one with countless surprises, and given all these premises, the hypothesis of seeing her triumph in the World Championships in Rwanda doesn't seem impossible. It's still too early to say; the season has practically just begun. Lotte Kopecky is already fully launched into this new challenge, and we can't wait to witness the spectacle.