Strong Start for Kopecky with White Jersey After Opening Stage

Matyas Kopecky delivered a strong performance on the opening stage of the Tour of Estonia, finishing among the top riders after a fast day on the road – and earning the white jersey as leader of the young rider classification.

The 196.4 km route from Tallinn to Tartu featured a flat profile ideal for high-speed racing, and the peloton delivered exactly that – keeping a high tempo all day and making sure nothing got away. A short-lived breakaway formed closer to the end of the stage, but the bunch kept things firmly under control.

The day wasn’t without its challenges, though. A crash in the peloton caused a key split, and Kopecky found himself caught on the wrong side of it. “It turned out to be a tough day for us as we missed the split,” Kopecky said. “I was stuck behind a crash that happened right in front of me, so I ended up behind the front group. The team did a really good job to chase down the leaders – there were about 20 riders up the road – but that meant all our guys were a bit cooked in the final.”

Despite the energy spent chasing, Kopecky still fought his way into the mix for a strong finish. “We weren’t able to execute our plan in the final properly – but that’s life. It wasn’t the best day, and we need to do better, but at least I’ll wear the white jersey tomorrow. I came here to win, and tomorrow is the last chance.”