Lotte Kopecky unsure over Tour de France Femmes participation ahead of Paris 2024 - ‘We will see the best option’

Updated 26/10/2023 at 10:09 GMT

It has been a stellar year for the Belgian, who finished second in the general classification race at this year's Tour. However, she stressed that the priority will be on her Olympic preparations for the Games in Paris next year. The 27-year-old will be focusing on being ready for the Olympic omnium, but is not ruling out an appearance in next year's event just yet.

'Have to see what the best option is' - Kopecky 'unsure' if she will race Tour de France Femmes

Lotte Kopecky admits she is unsure about her place in next year’s Tour de France Femmes, with the Paris 2024 Olympics just around the corner.

Kopecky has enjoyed a superb year after winning the women's road race and two titles in the velodrome at the UCI Cycling World Championships.

Speaking after her win in Glasgow on the road in August, she said: “It’s already been an amazing year and also a very hard year.

Olympic Games Paris 2024

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"It’s just what keeps me pushing. I don’t really know what I was thinking but it really means a lot to me and it’s a dream that’s come true. I really hope to enjoy and ride in those rainbows next year."

The 27-year-old also finished second in the general classification race for the Tour last year, but says her immediate focus is not on winning a Grand Tour.

“I'm unsure if I will ride the Tour de France next year because we have to start the Olympic omnium, so we will see what the federation and team says is the best option,” she told Eurosport.

“Maybe in the coming years, not in the near future because the focus is on other races, but when the course really suits me then I'll give a try to go for the GC.”

The Tour de France Femmes route was announced on Wednesday, including eight stages across seven days between August 12 and August 18.

There will be three flat stages for sprinters, an individual time trial, two hilly stages, and two mountain ones, with the pinnacle coming at the top of Alpe d'Huez.

Scaling the famous French mountain is something which would excite the Belgian, and hinted that it may tempt her to take part in the Tour.

“I have never done Alpe d'Huez, so maybe if I ride the Tour and do some recons then I will try to get to know the climb a bit better than I do now.”

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Olympic Games Paris 2024