Lotte Kopecky emerged victorious in a women’s world championship road race that will be remembered for its challenging conditions, successfully defending her rainbow jersey. The race, held in Zurich, saw relentless rain and chilly temperatures, making it a grueling test for all participants. The 28-year-old Belgian rider found herself struggling with the cold and was dropped during the final climb as Demi Vollering set a punishing pace.

However, Kopecky was given a second chance due to hesitations among the leaders and some tactical errors from the Dutch team. This allowed her to regain her position among the leading group of six riders as they approached the finish line at Sechseläutenplatz. When Australia’s Ruby Rose Gannon made a move for the win, Kopecky managed to latch onto her wheel and surged ahead to claim the gold medal.

Chloé Dygert secured the silver, marking the best finish for an American woman since Inga Thompson in 1991, while Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy took the bronze. Kopecky also paid tribute to 18-year-old Muriel Furrer, who tragically passed away following a crash during the junior race on Thursday. A minute’s silence was observed before the race, with many Swiss team members visibly emotional.

Kopecky had set her sights on this race since winning bronze at the Paris Olympics and had skipped the Tour de France Femmes to focus on her title defense. She described the race as both a mental and physical challenge, given the harsh weather conditions and the demanding course.

Demi Vollering, who had won La Vuelta Femenina this year and is considered one of the world’s best climbers, had promised an exciting race, and it certainly lived up to expectations with numerous breakaways and attacks over the four-hour event. The absence of race radio added to the uncertainty for both riders and teams.

Despite the Dutch team appearing strong with Vollering and three-time world champion Marianne Vos, neither could secure a podium finish. Vollering lacked the sprint finish needed to claim a medal, while Vos faded in the final kilometers.