Belgium's Lotte Kopecky caused a sensation at the European Track Cycling Championships on Saturday, winning gold in both the points race and the eliminations in 19 minutes. "Not an obvious combination, but apparently not an impossible one either," she said afterward.
In the points race in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, Kopecky managed to win in a rather economical manner: "I never really had to go all out in the sprints. I was able to sprint pretty economically. I felt like I was in control. And I was happy that I was pretty safe for the final sprint."
"I'm very happy with what I did today, especially after yesterday"
In the elimination race, Kopecky finished impressively despite several fresh opponents. "It was certainly not an obvious combination, but apparently not an impossible one either. The legs were not empty after the points race. In the end, I felt like I was in control again. I'm happy that I showed today that I have decent legs after all."
Kopecky was referring to Friday's disappointing omnium, in which she finished seventh. Unlike the points and elimination races, the omnium is an Olympic number. "The omnium was disappointing. I started to have a little doubt at that point," she said. "I'm very happy with what I did today, especially after yesterday. Although I would really like to hit the mark in the omnium as well.
Kopecky will still be in action on Sunday, on the final day of the European Track Cycling Championships in Apeldoorn, in the team race together with compatriot Katrijn De Clercq.
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