Lotte Kopecky was not impressed after a messy sprint finish at La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a Femenina ended with a penalty rather than a result.<\/p>\n
The Belgian was involved in contact with fellow Belgian and eventual winner Shari Bossuyt in the run to the line. The moment that knocked her out of contention. After reviewing the footage, race officials ruled Kopecky had not held a straight line. The deviation relegated her to last place in the front group and issued a yellow card. The Team SD Worx \u2013 Protime rider was also dinged with a 200 Swiss Franc fine and an 18-point UCI deduction.<\/p>\n
Kopecky\u2019s statement<\/p>\n
Kopecky did not hide her frustration.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I had to sprint again tomorrow, I would do exactly the same. I got a great lead-out from Anna van der Breggen, started my sprint and chose my own line, not Anna\u2019s,\u201d she posted on Instagram.<\/a><\/p>\n The former world road champion added that the situation unfolded quickly and made clear she had no issue with Bossuyt. \u201cAfter watching the images, I really want to emphasize that Shari Bossuyt did nothing wrong\u2026 I just don\u2019t agree with the jury\u2019s decision.\u201d<\/p>\n Bossuyt saw it as a racing incident.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Lotte doesn\u2019t expect me\u2026 she rides into me,\u201d she said to Sporza<\/a>. \u201cIn my opinion, it is an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n El toque en el sprint entre Lotte Kopecky y su compa\u00f1era de madison Shari Bossuyt#LaVuelta<\/a>#UCIWWT<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6nqPM5FLoS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 elsterrato (@elsterrato) May 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Both women are much more than rivals\u2013they are also each other\u2019s madison partners on the track. In 2022 they won the worlds, and in 2026, became European champs in the discipline.<\/p>\n Stage 2 saw Victoria\u2019s Sarah Van Dam in the mix. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider\u2013and sole Canadian racing in Spain, was fifth.<\/p>\n Sadly, overall leader Noemi R\u00fcegg did not finish. The race leader and her EF Education-Oatly teammate Elena Ciabocco crashed. R\u00fcegg would ultimately call it a day, and it was later revealed she had a broken shoulder.<\/p>\n Stage 3 is the final day in the Galician region. The women will race from Padr\u00f3n to A Coru\u00f1a for a total of 121.2km.<\/p>\n You can watch Tuesday\u2019s stage on Flobikes.com<\/a>. Afterwards, check back on Canadian Cycling Magazine for a full report.<\/p>\n Affiliate links present. Canadian Cycling Magazine may receive commissions<\/p>\n