Forbes Belgium has named Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx–Protime) in its 2025 30 Under 30 list, citing the world champion’s impact on and off the bike after a two‑year run that delivered Paris–Roubaix Femmes, back‑to‑back world road titles and a record third Tour of Flanders.
The magazine introduced her as “one of the most successful cyclists of her generation”, highlighting her expanding influence beyond the peloton as part of the second Belgian edition of the list, which will be celebrated at a Ghent summit on 28 November.
The recognition arrives at the end of a campaign framed by legacy wins. Kopecky took Paris–Roubaix Femmes in 2024 while in the rainbow bands, then became the first rider to claim three titles at the women’s Ronde van Vlaanderen with victory in April 2025, a new benchmark for the race’s modern era. She also retained the UCI elite women’s world road race title in 2024, underscoring a sustained peak across Classics and the World Championships.
Forbes Belgium’s profile also points to Kopecky’s off‑bike ventures, noting a personal clothing collection and her role as an ambassador for Plan International and the ‘Like A Girl’ campaign, which promotes self‑belief among girls.
Kopecky’s selection places her alongside fellow Belgian headline acts such as Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick‑Step) and singer Angèle.
Her domestic profile has already been recognised this month. Four days before the Forbes announcement, Kopecky collected a record sixth Kristallen Fiets as Belgium’s cyclist of the year.
“Even though it is not what I primarily race for, winning the Kristallen Fiets always makes me proud, although I will probably have to start looking for more space at home… At the same time, it is also a bit of a mixed bag because I am aware that I have not had a fantastic season,” she said at the ceremony, underlining the high personal standards that frame her year even with landmark wins and titles on the board.
In the space of 24 months Kopecky has assembled a palmarès that few active riders can match, anchored by Flanders in 2022, 2023 and 2025, Paris–Roubaix in 2024, Strade Bianche in 2022 and 2024, and consecutive world road championships in 2023 and 2024, alongside her ongoing track pedigree.
With a clear recognition of her achievements off the bike, Forbes nod confirms that her profile in Belgium has extended well beyond the Classics calendar.
Cover Picture credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com
