As it happened: Lotte Kopecky sprints to world championship victory after brutal race in Zurich

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the elite and under-23 women's road race at the Road World Championships in Zurich!

Today there will be a lot of focus on the racing. However, plenty of focus will be on the two riders who passed away yesterday. Muriel Furrer and Bas van Belle. 

Furrer died after a very heavy crash in the women's junior road race two days ago. Van Belle died unexpectedly.

It is expected that there will be a moment of silence before the start of the remaining races as well as muted podium celebrations. 

To read more, click the link below...

>>> Swiss rider Muriel Furrer dies after World Championship crash 

>>> Races go on but UCI World Championships in mourning after death of Muriel Furrer 

>>> UCI unable to provide information on Muriel Furrer's fatal World Championships crash due to police investigation 

Today's women elite road race is set to begin at 12:47 local time and will consist of 154.1km of racing taking on one lap of the Greifensee lake before heading to the city laps around Zurich which will be tackled four times with 2,384 metres of elevation.

Lotte Kopecky (BEL) comes into this as one of, if not the, favourite. However, after a disappointing time trial by her standards, there may be some doubts as she battles against Demi Vollering (NED), Marianne Vos (NED), Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA), Kasia Niewiadoma (POL) and more... Not to mention the return to road cycling for Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (FRA).

>>> UCI Road World Championships 2024 - Elite-U23 women's road race contenders 

Throughout the racing so far at these championships, the racing has been extremely tough and a war of attrition with riders coming to the line in very small groups, pairs or solo riders in rather inclement weather. 

The weather is, yet again, poor. Just 12 degrees centigrade and rain all day. The rain may ease and even stop but the showers are expected all day.  

One rider who was due to start but is now not is Israeli rider, Rotem Gafinovitz. That leaves just one rider from Israel with Adar Shriki. 

The riders are lined up ready to go. All of them are wrapped up in their water proofs. They will be holding a moment of silence before they set off in a few minutes time. 

Very emotional scenes before the start with some riders finding it all a bit much. A very difficult moment for all the riders as they set off on the same course in the same conditions. 

The riders have started the short neutral zone. 

154.1km to go

The flag is waved and racing begins!

No early moves as the riders jostle for position to keep their leaders safe. 

Attack

Caroline Baur (SUI)

The host nation launching the first move of the day but it is well marked and isn't really getting much of a gap. 

Dropped

Emmanuella Rukundo (BDI)

Unfortunately, the 20-year-old rider from Burundi loses touch. 

Attack

Nina Berton (LUX)
Sara Martín (ESP)
Caroline Baur (SUI)

The Swiss rider jumping for the second time and, this time, seems successful in forming the break. 

There are, of course, two titles available today. The elite title as well as the under 23 title. So very much two races in one, which makes tactics rather tricky. 

Attack in peloton

Heidi Franz (USA)

Several riders follow. 

Crash

Yulduz Hashimi (AFG)

A heavy fall for the rider from Afghanistan. She seems to be in a bit of pain after that but is back on her feet. 

So many attacks going out of the peloton as they see the three riders ride away early on. This is their opportunity to force a break and, perhaps, give themselves a chance to get a big result. 

Interestingly, it is Ireland who were leading the peloton. Now several other teams move up including team GB with Elinor Barker. Elisa Balsamo (ITA) looking to be marking moves as well. 

The leading trio have 38" on the peloton. Berton (LUX), Baur (SUI) and Martín (ESP) in the leading group. 

The breakaway have a gap of 1'18" over the peloton, now. The counter moves have stopped in the bunch and it is settling down. 

Attack

As soon as I said the attacking stopped, one goes again from South Africa and Tiffany Keep who rides for UK based team DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK who won the British Cycling National Road Series team classification this year. 

Crash

Not quite able to see who it was but they were very close to the front of the bunch. They are quickly back on their feet and on the bike again. 

130km to go

With the break having 1'49" on the peloton. Keep (RSA) in the gap but just ahead of the peloton. 

Caught

Tiffany Keep (RSA)

Onto the Maur Wall, the first climb of the day. 18.9% gradient and the beginning of the race proper. 

Crash

Several riders down with Djazilla Umwamikazi (RWA) being one of the riders down and Hannah Ludwig (GER). Everyone back on their feet with the two mentioned needing mechanical help. 

Malcotti (ITA) comes to the front to start pacing for Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA). Very solid climber for a day like today. 

The Dutch come to the front with Pauliena Rooijakkers working for her many leaders in the Netherlands squad. 

The breakaway just hold a gap of 49" on the peloton now. 

120km to go

The gap did drop to 29" but does appear to be eking back out for the breakaway as the climb has been taken on. 

Attack!

Lotte Kopecky (BEL)

The defending champion is using a small kicker before this very technical descent and ignites this race. 

The pace immediately drops over the top of that small kick and the peloton regroup as Kopecky (BEL) was very well marked by Niewiadoma (POL), Ferrand-Prevot (FRA) and the other big favourites. 

Attack in peloton

Jelena Eric (SRB)

The rider who races for Movistar normally tries a little dig to get ahead before the descent and first passage of the finish line. 

The peloton now split to bits. I believe there was a crash but it was very difficult to see as the camera was with Eric (SRB) who has just been caught. 

Attack/110km to go

Riejanne Markus (NED) 

She is followed by several riders such as Justine Ghekiere (BEL) and Teniel Campbell (TTO) but it is all back together. 31" up to the break, now. 

The break go under the flamme rouge for the first time as they head to the finish line. They cross the line five times today. 

The foreshortening of the camera makes the gap between the break and the peloton look very small but it is still being said to be about 30".  

Confirmed gap at +33" between the three-woman break and the chasing peloton as they now launch into the full laps around Zurich. 

105km to go

Onto the climb on the circuit for the first time, the Zurichbergstrasse which has gradients kicking up to over 17%. Sweden are the team taking it up on the front, interestingly. 

Dropped from break

Caroline Baur (SUI)
Sara Martin (ESP)

The Swiss rider is unable to follow her breakaway companions on the steepest gradients. Martin (ESP) also losing touch with Berton (LUX) who is pushing on solo at her own tempo. 

Caught

Baur (SUI)

The Swiss rider has been swallowed up by the peloton on the first ascent of the Zurichbergstrasse. 

Martin (ESP) makes it back to Berton (LUX) with new attacks coming across!

Attack from peloton

Thalita De Jong (NED)
Lore De Schepper (BEL)
Alice Maria Arzuffi (ITA)
Sarah Gigante (AUS)

They join Martin (ESP) and Berton (LUX) at the front with Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (RSA) dragging back together with her trying to bridge but she just achieved dragging the rest across with her. 

Break caught

The race is all back together but immediately a new attack comes from Sarah Gigante (AUS) and the Tour Down Under winner is quickly dragged back. 

Attack

Niamh Fisher-Black (NZL)

The SD Worx-Protime rider launches with Riejanne Markus (NED) and five others following. 

100km to go

Leaders:

Fisher-Black (NZL)
Hartmann (SUI)
Markus (NED)
Ghekiere (BEL)
Ottestad (NOR)

Also, two chasers:

Gigante (AUS)
Žigart (SLO)

More riders now trying to bridge this very small gap with Teniel Campbell (TTO) and Soraya Paladin (ITA) try to get across. 

Christine Majerus (LUX) and Teniel Campbell (TTO) get across the gap alongside Soraya Paladin (ITA) but the break only have around 10" gap. 

Yet more attacks coming behind in the peloton as a few key teams have missed this move that could be telling for the final outcome today in Zurich. 

Poland are one of the big teams to have missed this move and are now working for their leader and Tour de France Femmes winner, Kasia Niewiadoma. 

More riders are trying to bridge with Antonia Niedermaier (GER) and Neve Bradbury (AUS) just off the front of the pack with 16" to bridge. 

90km to go

Leaders:

Ottestad (NOR)
Markus (NED)
Gigante (AUS)
Ghekiere (BEL)
Paladin (ITA)
Hartmann (SUI)
Majerus (LUX)
Žigart (SLO)
Fisher-Black (NZL)
Koch (GER)

In the gap there is Niedermaier (GER) and Bradbury (AUS) ahead of the peloton who are hot on their heals. 

Mischa Bredewold (NED) has bridged the gap along with one other rider. The former European champion used the descent to catch Niedermaier (GER) and Bradbury (AUS) and pull them back into the peloton before launching across the gap herself. 

Three laps to go

The peloton has dramatically closed on this dangerous group of 11 riders. Just 15" between the two groups. 

Žigart (SLO) leading on the Zurichbergstrasse alongside Fisher-Black as the break look to pull out their advantage again with 12" gap. 

It does appear that Spanish leader, Mavi Garcia, is losing touch on this climb as she struggles with the conditions. 

Abandon

Christina Schweinberger (AUT) has stepped off the bike. 

Rooijakkers (NED) back on the front of the peloton with Vollering (NED) locked on her wheel. Lippert (GER) in third wheel followed by various other big favourites. 

It is always an odd situation in the Worlds for the Netherlands as they have several leaders. Two rider in the break but they are also chasing the break down. Very odd choices here. 

Koch (GER) gets caught by the peloton. 

Dropped from peloton

Elisa Balsamo (ITA)

The former World champion has lost touch with the bunch. It hasn't quite been her season but not terrible. 

Fariba Hashimi (AFG), Usoa Ostolaza (ESP), Teniel Campbell (TTO) and several others also losing contact with the peloton as Rooijakkers (NED) continues to set her brutal tempo. 

Break caught

The leaders have been dragged back thanks to Pauliena Rooijakkers (NED) but the splits in the peloton sees Puck Pieterse (NED) caught in a split but she does drag it back together yet again. 

Attack

Riejanne Markus (NED)
Niamh Fisher-Black (NZL)
Liane Lippert (GER)
Justine Ghekiere (BEL)
Elena Hartmann (SUI)
Brodie Chapman (AUS)
Chloe Dygert (USA)

However, it is all back together again! Immediate counter move by Mischa Bredewold (NED) with the same riders following the moves. 

70km to go

The rain is absolutely hammering it down now as Markus (NED) just ups the tempo once again. This is properly brutal stuff. 

The peloton has been significantly reduced now with the weather playing a massive part as well as the very tough route. 

The team from the Netherlands are continuing to be very active as they look to shape the narrative of this race with various attacks now being followed by more intense pace setting.  

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (FRA) has been distanced out on course. This is her first road race back after a very long time of focusing on mountain biking. 

Gaia Realini (ITA) struggling to hold onto the back of the peloton with a lot of riders just losing the wheels as the weather continues to worsen. 

Vollering (NED) starts upping the pave on one of these little kickers and she is beginning to string out the bunch. 

Mechanical

Erica Magnaldi (ITA)

The Dutch now leading down the descent with Bredewold (NED) taking over from Vollering (NED). Kopecky (BEL) comfortably in second wheel and even showed a smile before starting the downhill section. 

60km to go

Marianne Vos appears on the front of the bunch for the Netherlands and it seems she is playing the team role for Vollering  and Pieterse. 

Bredewold (NED), Markus (NED), Pieterse (NED) and Vollering (NED) are the first four riders at the front of the peloton. The Dutch are very keen to have a strangle hold on this race. 

Kopecky (BEL) having an issue with her skinsuit needing the mechanic to cut it open a little bit to stop some of the pressure on her abdomen, which can be quite uncomfortable. 

Two laps to go

The riders cross the finish line once again. Netherlands, Belgium and USA leading the way at the moment. 53km to go. 

Chloe Dygert (USA) upping the pace in the peloton now. This is an interesting decision by her with her teammate and Olympic champion, Kristen Faulkner (USA) near the back. 

Puck Pieterse (NED) now takes over the paxing on the Zurichbergstrasse with Markus (NED) joining her upping the tempo. 

Marianne Vos (NED) now really upping the pave with Lippert (GER) and Vollering (NED) also up there. Labous (FRA) and Kopecky (BEL) trying to stay at the front too. Longo-Borghini (ITA also up there. 

The group has been split to pieces as Faulkner (USA), Uttrup Ludwig (DEN) and Brown (AUS) all out of the back. 

50km to go

So many Dutch riders making it over the Zurichbergstrasse and are still pushing the pace hard for Vollering who looks very strong. 

Rooijakkers (NED) using her last ounces of energy to rip the race to bits. However, this sees Vos (NED), Bredewold (NED), Roseman-Gannon (AUS) and Chabbey (SUI) all get dropped. 

Fisher-Black (NZL), Henderson (GBR), A. Holmgren (CAN) all losing touch. 

Tour de France Femmes winner, Kasia Niewiadoma (POL) has been dropped!! As has Puck Pieterse (NED). 

Vollering (NED) hammering the pace now with only Neve Bradbury (AUS) left out of the U23 riders in the lead group. She could be flying to the U23 title as Vas (HUN) is in the second group. 

Attack

Neve Bradbury (AUS)
Demi Vollering (NED)

Potentially the two jerseys riding up the road. Longo-Borghini (ITA) sprinting to try and get across, though.

Attack

Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA)

This forces another split with Vollering (NED) and Lippert (GER) but Labous (FRA) drags the group back together making it a group of 10 riders. 

Somehow, Puck Pieterse (NED) has made it back across to the leaders. 

Attack

Caroline Andersson (SWE)

Puck Pieterse (NED) trying to chase this move down. 

Markus (NED) and Dygert (USA) have made it back into the front group. 

Andersson (SWE) dragged back but then she kicks on yet again. This time, she is joined by Ghekiere (BEL) but the returning Vas (HUN) drags it back again. 

Attack

Juliette Labous (FRA)

The French rider goes solo with Markus (NED) back in the group and back working on the chase again. 

Kopecky (BEL) back at the car yet again. She is looking so calm and smooth on the bike today. A real worry for her rivals. Meanwhile, Markus (NED) catches Labous (FRA) and it is all together again. 

It is extremely Autumnal on the roads around Zurich today. 

Attack

Riejanne Markus (NED)
Justine Ghekiere (BEL)

They habe a gap of 40" on the chasing bunch. 

40km to go

The chasing group grows in size as riders like Niewiadoma (POL) and Vos (NED) getting back on with Vos (NED) attacking immediately alongside the Polish rider. 

The Dutch are still pushing the pace behind despite having Markus (NED) up the road alongside Ghekiere (BEL). This is such bizarre team tactics and shows that they are not united as a nation. 

Bredewold (NED) is sprinting onto this little kicker before the technical descent. The Dutch are not happy with the situation despite having Markus (NED) up the road. 

Attack

Elise Chabbbey (SUI)

But everyone can follow. Still 18" up to Markus (NED) and Ghekiere (BEL). 

Attack

Marianne Vos (NED)

The former world champion pushing across the gap alongside Ruby Roseman-Gannon (AUS). Two very fast riders. 

The leaders:

Marianne Vos (NED)
Riejanne Markus (NED)
Ruby Roseman-Gannon (AUS)
Justine Ghekiere (BEL)

They have 20" gap on the peloton as the Dutch now seem to be happy with the situation. 

The Zurichbergstrasse has been the main point where selections have been made throughout this week. With one more ascent to come, it is likely to be the same again in this race. 

One lap to go!

Into the final lap with Vos (NED), Markus (NED), Ghekiere (BEL) and Roseman-Gannon (AUS) leading with a gap of 59" between the leaders and the chasing group! France doing the chasing now behind. 

With a minute between the leading quad of riders and the chasing group of favourites, the race is wide open and could see a very surprising winner. Or, Vos (NED) getting her fourth road race world title. 

Justine Ghekiere (BEL) looks very uncomfortable and very cold. She was trying to get some food from her pockets but was really struggling getting her hand under her gillet. 

Onto the Zurichbergstrasse for the final time and Markus (NED) continues setting the pace with Vos (NED) on her wheel with Ghekiere (BEL) and Roseman-Gannon (AUS) fighting for the wheel of Vos. 

The favourites group now also head onto the Zurichbergstrasse. The attacks much come soon from this group. 

Markus (NED) leads over the top of the steepest section and the gap is apparently down to 19" but quickly it jumps back to 1'18", which seems more likely. 

No attacks coming from the big names chasing as Holmgren (CAN), Henderson (GBR) and Chabbey (SUI) losing touch from that group. 

Onto the Witikon climb now.  The gap when it was last shown was 59" and it is still looking like that is the gap. This is thanks to the pace set by Labous (FRA) in the chasing pack. 

Just 12 riders left in this chasing group as Labous (FRA) asks for some help. But, the Dutch have more riders in this chasing group as well as two up the road. This is a nightmare scenario for everyone who isn't Dutch. 

Attack

Lippert (GER)
Longo-Borghini (ITA)
Kopecky (BEL)
Dygert (USA)
Vollering (NED)

However, even though Vollering is isolated in this group, she still has Markus and Vos up the road. Just 35" gap, now. 

Likewise, Kopecky (BEL) is sitting on in the chase group as she has Ghekiere (BEL) in the lead group. 

20km to go

Leaders:

Vos (NED)
Markus (NED)
Ghekiere (BEL)
Roseman-Gannon (AUS)

Chasers +26":

Longo-Borghini (ITA)
Lippert (GER)
Vollering (NED)
Dygert (USA)
Kopecky (BEL)

Attack

And here comes a massive attack by Longo-Borghini (ITA) and Vollering (NED) 

They catch and go straight passed the leaders! This immediately drops Markus (NED) with Vos (NED) desperately trying to follow. 

Lippert (GER) just bridging with Markus (NED) just holding on as Vos (NED) rejoins as well. 

Leaders:

Vollering (NED)
Vos (NED)
Markus (NED)
Longo-Borghini (ITA)
Lippert (GER)
Roseman-Gannon (AUS)
Ghekiere (BEL)

Kopecky (BEL) and Dygert (USA) trying to catch up with this leading group. 

Markus (NED) dropped and Vollering (NED) is pushing hard as she can see that Dygert (USA) and Kopecky (BEL) aren't done yet. The chasing duo catch Markus (NED). 

Longo-Borghini (ITA) is pushing very hard here as Vos (NED) comes through to try and stay with her and is dying a thousand deaths here. She has to swing over and Longo-Borghini (ITA) gets a gap as Vollering (NED) closes it down. 

Dygert (USA) drops Kopecky (BEL)!

And Vos (NED) has completely dropped from the lead group. 

Chloe Dygert (USA) rejoins the leading group with 14km to go! Also, Lotte Kopecky (BEL) and Marianne Vos (NED) get back in!

Leaders:

Vollering (NED)
Vos (NED)
Markus (NED)
Kopecky (BEL)
Ghekiere (BEL)
Longo-Borghini (ITA)
Lippert (GER)
Dygert (USA)
Roseman-Gannon (AUS)

Incredible that this is still completely open. 

Vos (NED) is working on the front of the bunch and is joined by Markus (NED). 

10km to go

Kopecky (BEL) shuts the door on a move that looked to be beginning by Lippert (GER). No attacks yet on this final proper kicker. 

Attack!

Demi Vollering (NED)
Lotte Kopecky (BEL)
Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA)
Liane Lippert (GER)
Chlose Dygert (USA)
Ruby Roseman-Gannon (AUS)

All Vollering has managed to do is drop her teammates as well as Ghekiere (BEL). 

Dygert (USA) just struggling to stay with the group on the descent as Kopecky (BEL) leads the way. The American is battling to try and get back on, though. She may use it as a slingshot. 

Vollering (NED) tries a little sniping move but everyone follows as Dygert (USA) is just a couple of seconds off the back. 

Dropped

Ruby Roseman-Gannon (AUS)

The Australian getting dropped right at the last with 5km to go. Dygert (USA) also losing touch. 

Attack!

Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA)

The Italian goes solo into the final 5km and this may be the race done as Lippert (GER), Vollering (NED) and Kopecky (BEL) all look at each other. 

Demi Vollering (NED) distancing Lippert (GER) and Kopecky (BEL) but Vollering (NED) just isn't quite able to close it down but she does! 

4km to go

Vollering (NED) has made it to Longo-Borghini (ITA) with Kopecky (BEL) able to close Vollering alongside Lippert (GER). 

3km to go with the leaders all together again. 

Lotte Kopecky (BEL)
Demi Vollering (NED)
Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA)
Liane Lippert (GER)

Impossible to call where this title is going to go. 

Flamme Rouge!

Kopecky (BEL) leads ahead of Lippert (GER), Vollering (NED) and Longo-Borghini (ITA) but Dygert (USA) and Roseman-Gannon (AUS) are coming back again!! 

It is between the six of them! 

Attack

Ruby Roseman-Gannon (AUS)

Everyone follows. 

500 metres to go

Vollering (NED) will have to lead it out. 

250m to go and Longo-Borghini (ITA) goes!

Lotte Kopecky WINS the 2024 women's elite road race and defends her title for Belgium! She had so much power left in the legs. 

Podium

1. Lotte Kopecky (Belgium)
2. Chloe Dygert (USA)
3. Elisa Longo-Borghini (Italy)

Top 10

1. Lotte Kopecky (BEL) 4:05'26"
2. Chloe Dygert (USA)
3. Elisa Longo-Borghini (ITA)
4. Liane Lippert (GER)
5. Demi Vollering (NED)
6. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (AUS) all S.T.
7. Justine Ghekiere (BEL) +1'05"
8. Marianne Vos (NED)
9. Riejanne Markus (NED) all S.T.
10. Blanka Vas (HUN) +3'00"

U23 podium

1. Puck Pieterse (NED)
2. Neve Bradbury (AUS)
3. Antonia Niedermaier (GER)

A lot to unpack from today... Have a read of our post race report...

>>> UCI Road World Championships: Lotte Kopecky claims second consecutive elite women's road race 

At one point in the closing lap it looked like it was all over for Kopecky (BEL). But, odd tactics and riders not committing saw the defending champion get back in and she was able to show that she was by far the fastest in the finish. An incredible ride. 

Kopecky dedicated her victory to Muriel Furrer who died after crashing in the women's junior road race two days ago. 

That is not it for the World Championships in Zurich. The elite men take to the road in the hotly anticipated battle between Remco Evenepoel, Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel and the rest tomorrow. Make sure to join us back on CyclingNews for all the coverage.