Denmark wraps with Kopecky fourth on final stage for Team Novo Nordisk

The world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team concluded its home race in style with Czech wonder kid Matyas Kopecky sprinting spectacularly into fourth place after a series of searing attacks on the final laps around Silkeborg.

After yesterday’s fifth place in Vejle 22-year-old Kopecky started today’s final stage with heavy legs, but with teammate Filippo Ridolfo up the road animating the breakaway the Loire Tour white jersey winner was inspired and made it into the winning move.

“I had so much pain in my legs today,” said Kopecky. “It was like my thighs were full of needles and I felt terrible at the start, but Filippo inspired us and I gradually started to feel better as the race went on.”

“The last laps were insanely fast and I was struggling on the climb up to the line, when Pedersen jumped I couldn’t follow and I desperately threw my bike to try for third. Ah. Ok. On reflection it’s a good result, year on year we’re better here and I think we’ve done a great job in front of our home fans and Novo Nordisk, but I wanted to win or at the very least top three.”

Team Novo Nordisk end the race with Kopecky fourth on the day, ninth overall and third in the young rider classification, once again making history and setting benchmark for the team’s performance at PostNord Danmark Rundt.