Lotte Kopecky withdraws from Giro d'Italia Women 2025 with back problem ahead of Stage 6
Published 10/07/2025 at 21:42 GMT+1
Lotte Kopecky is out of the Giro d'Italia Women 2025 after withdrawing on precautionary grounds, citing a back problem. SD Worx-Protime released a statement after Thursday's fifth stage, confirming that she will not take part in Stage 6. Instead, the world champion will "take three to four days of complete rest" to combat the issue ahead of the Tour de France Femmes.
Stage 5 highlights: Wiebes unstoppable in sprint as Reusser keeps pink
Video credit: TNT Sports
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) has withdrawn from the Giro d'Italia Women 2025 as a precaution.
The world champion has been experiencing a back problem and will not take part in the sixth stage, which takes riders along a 145-kilometre route from Bellaria-Igea Marina to Terre Roveresche.
With the issue expected to resolve itself after a few days on the sidelines, Kopecky has decided to take the time off ahead of the Tour de France Femmes, before continuing her preparation for the Grand Tour.
"According to the medical staff of Team SD Worx-Protime, the discomfort in her lower back should heal completely with a few days of rest," a team statement read.
"She will then be able to resume her preparations for the Tour de France Femmes as planned."
The statement also confirmed that the 29-year-old would "take three to four days of complete rest".
After a second-placed finish in the opening stage in Bergamo and a third-placed finish on Stage 3, she lost more than 19 minutes on Stage 4's final climb to Pianezze on Wednesday.
SD Worx manager Danny Stam added: "Lotte has pain in her lower back; that’s why things didn’t go as they should on the climbs.
"Under these circumstances, there was little point in going all-out on the finishing climb, and Lotte chose to take it easy."
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Kopecky took part in Thursday's 120-kilometre fifth stage and managed a fourth-placed finish.
The statement continued: "Kopecky led the sprint today for Lorena Wiebes, who recorded her second stage victory in three days.
"With a second, third and fourth place in the stage results, Kopecky has performed well in Italy over the past few days.
"However, she experienced some discomfort in her lower back when climbing, so she did not want to push herself too hard."
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