Lotte Kopecky extends with SD Worx-Protime until 2028

Lotte Kopecky has extended her contract with SD Worx-Protime until the end of 2028, the team confirmed on Wednesday during a pre-Classics press conference.

The current world champion’s contract was set to expire at the end of 2024, and there had been speculation about whether Kopecky may end up on the market, but Wednesday’s announcement confirmed that she will stay with the team for at least four more seasons.

“I feel very good within this team and that’s why I want to announce that I’m staying with Team SD Worx-Protime,” Kopecky said in a video released by her team.

“In this team now I really can be myself, and that’s very important for me.”

The news comes after some speculation about SD Worx’s roster going forward, with only three riders publicly contracted for 2025, and rumours swirling around offers made for their other star rider Demi Vollering.

Read more: SD Worx-Protime: We want to keep Demi Vollering but not for a blank cheque

At present, Vollering has not announced an extension to her contract with SD Worx.

With Kopecky extending until 2028, which is also the year the team’s current partnership with bike sponsor Specialized runs to, she is now the longest-contracted rider on the team, with Lorena Wiebes tied to the team until 2026.

Since signing for SD Worx at the start of 2022 from Liv Racing, Kopecky has taken a number of big victories and results, including Strade Bianche, two editions of the Tour of Flanders, second overall at the Tour de France Femmes, and her first world title on the road in 2023.

“When I signed with Team SD Worx, first of all I was very honoured. It was kind of a dream that came true, because it’s the best and biggest team in the peloton," she said. "I actually felt quite good immediately, and through the year that feeling only grew.

Read more: Is there space for both Lotte Kopecky and Demi Vollering at SD Worx-Protime?

"I’ve already had many amazing moments with this team. First my biggest win in Strade Bianche, then the amazing victory in the Tour of Flanders, my first one. That was a piece of very nice teamwork. From that moment everything went very smoothly.

"There is clear communication within the team, so we immediately know where we stand. Both when it's positive sounds and critical notes, you get to hear it. I can appreciate that."

"Lotte is one of the strongest riders in the peloton," said the team's sports manager Danny Stam. "Over the past two years in our team she has made huge strides and built a nice record. She is an easy person to work with and has become one of the leaders of the team that everyone pulls up to. She understands the team's interests well and is a person everyone gets along well with. I am confident that she can grow even further and am pleased that we are keeping her with the team through 2028."

This year, another assault on the Classics are next on the agenda for Kopecky, after she started her season with an impressive overall victory at the UAE Tour. Going into the summer, the Paris Olympics will be the main focus for the rider who mixes road and track ambitions.

For more of the latest updates from the women's WorldTour, visit our women's racing page.