All-rounder, stage races, punchy short climbs.
DOB 19-01-2003
AGE OF DIAGNOSIS 15
YEARS WITH TEAM 2
Setbacks are only a sign to start positive change.
PROFILE
After an outstanding debut season in 2022 Czech all-rounder Matyas Kopecky returns for 2023 with a race win on his mind. Second place in the prologue at the Tour of Bulgaria and third on stage two at the Tour of Rhodes were Kopecky’s standout results with only fractions of a second standing between him and a debut professional victory and a clean sweep in his first season.
A former Czech U19 national road champion and strong time-triallist, the 20-year-old will continue to focus on development and gaining experience in his second season.
In 2021 Kopecky missed out on double Czech championship titles by only three seconds, after finishing in second place in the individual time trial only two days before the then 18-year-old stormed to victory in the road race.
First coming to the team’s attention at the 2021 Team Novo Nordisk Talent ID camp in Caen, France. Kopecky quickly confirmed his potential with his results on the road at both the World and National Championships.
Born in Rotterdam but representing the Czech Republic due to his Father’s side of the family, Kopecky started cycling at the age of eight and quickly fell in love with the bike. Coming from an active family, Kopecky started out racing cyclocross before switching to the road.
Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was 15 years old. Kopecky has not let it hold him back. Fortunate to be surrounded by a strong group of supportive family and friends, his first thoughts were “what about my cyclo-cross race at the weekend?!”
Educating himself on how to manage and live with diabetes, it was only a short time after that Kopeckly learned about Team Novo Nordisk and the amazing story of co-founder and CEO Phil Southerland and the inspirational athletes who compete around the world striving to change diabetes and carry their message of empowerment.
Kopecky describes himself as 50/50 Czech and Dutch and chose to represent the Czech Republic. He has a brother and a sister who are both elite level cyclists. His older brother is a third year U23 in Belgium and currently rides for a continental team and a younger sister for a Dutch U19 team. Cycling clearly runs in the family.
Off the bike Kopecky completed his final year of school in the Netherlands and enjoys spending time with family and friends and would one day like to start playing guitar when he finds some free time.