Kopecky back in the top ten at Münsterland Giro

Czech sprinter Matyas Kopecky returned to racing with a bang at Sparkassen Münsterland Giro in Germany today, sprinting into the top ten for Team Novo Nordisk on the explosive closing circuits around Munster.

The first part of the race had the peloton settled in behind an early three rider breakaway who were kept well under control for around 100km before the inevitable catch was made. 

This paved the way for a fast second half of the race with plenty of attacks popping in the final 40km, creating a battle for the sprinters teams to bring things back under control. As a result the constant increase and then maintaining of high speed into the run in to the final left only one option on the cards – a wild bunch sprint unfolding after a crash as the road narrowed on the last laps and Kopecky avoiding trouble to place tenth.

“I’m missing some top end after getting sick in Slovakia and I feel much better, just miss a little rhythm and peak power,” said Kopecky. “We had a really good training ride and recon yesterday, beautiful crisp early autumn morning and we started today in really good spirits.”

“The laps were pretty hectic actually, once the original breakaway had been caught it became explosivebut no more attacks stuck and I tried to stay together with Andrea, but he got caught behind the late crash and I managed to hold on amid the chaos.

“I got boxed in with 700m to go and that killed my hopes of a better result, but all in all we’re pleased with tenth and I felt surprisingly good after being sick for a couple of weeks. Up next…Taihu Lake, my first time there and I can’t wait.”