Matyáš Kopecký: Girona’s streets the path to Unibet Rose Rockets

The Unibet Rose Rockets were delighted to announce that Matyáš Kopecký would join the team from the 2026 season onwards, and we were just as excited to sit down with him for an interview. The Czech talent arrives from Team Novo Nordisk, a squad dedicated to riders with type 1 diabetes, where Matyáš has already proven himself to be a strong all-rounder on the road.

Text: Juliana Reis
Photos: Juliana Reis & Joran Benjamins / Unibet Rose Rockets

Matyáš Kopecký explains that his move to the Rockets had been in the air for about three years, ever since he became familiar with the team through his brother, Tomáš Kopecký, who was already part of the squad. The invitation had come before, when the Rockets were still competing at continental level, but only now that the team has risen to the pro continental ranks did Matyáš feel the timing was right to take the step.

With his move to the Unibet Rose Rockets, a new challenge awaits in 2026. Now part of a Pro Continental team, Matyáš could find himself lining up for a Grand Tour this season. Still, he has yet to win a race as a professional, leaving a sense that something important is still missing. Unfazed by this statistic, he balances pride in what he has achieved with an impatient curiosity for what lies ahead.

The Kopeckýs clearly have a gift for cycling. In addition to sharing a professional team with his brother Tomáš, their sister also competes at a high level, and their father raced amateur events. Nevertheless, Matyáš’ own path has had its challenges ever since he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes midway through a racing season. At first, the diagnosis felt strange and shocking, but he quickly realised he had to adapt, learning largely on his own while relying on his family for support.

“My dreams changed a bit, but I didn’t want to give up. About a week after the diagnosis I was already back on the bike training again, slowly building up. I never really stopped, and that helped me feel like myself”.

Read the full story about Matyáš Kopecký in Nafent Magazine volume 17, available in the Nafent webshop.