A winter spent racing cyclo-cross in Belgium has paid dividends for Zoe Backstedt as she became the British national ‘cross champion.
The EF Education-TIBCO-SVB rider has moved to Belgium this winter to improve her ‘cross skills while also preparing for the Spring Classics and is set to make her World Tour debut next month.
In her first cyclocross season riding in elite races, the 18-year-old finished fourth in the World Cup at Gavere and fifth at the under-23 European Championships as well as several other top-five results.
At the British national championships in Cumbria, the youngster faced similar muddy conditions to Gavere showing her power and running speed to devastating effect.
Leading away from the line, Backstedt was in firm control from the outset eventually finishing over three minutes clear of mountain bike specialist Annie Last in second while Ella Maclean-Howell finished third.
In the absence of British rival Anna Kay, the youngster handled her pre-race nerves as a favourite to put on an impressive show in the slippery conditions.
“I knew I could do well and I knew I could win it, so I was a bit nervous this morning sat in the camper,” said Backstedt.
“I rode how I would ride in a Belgium race and it seemed to pay off. It’s given me a lot of confidence and the World Cup at Gavere was quite similar to today with running up and down. I’m just grateful to have been out there racing (in Belgium) and getting some experience.
“The start of my season wasn’t the best but the Christmas period was when I really found my legs again and it’s been good.”
Backstedt won the world cyclo-cross championships last year in the junior category and will make her debut as an under-23 at next month’s championship.
Who will be on the start-line in the category next month is still unclear with Dutch national champion Puck Pieterse and European elite champion Fem Van Emple riding up out of the category in the senior event.
Shirin Van Anrooij could also ride in the elite ranks after a successful season which has seen the Dutch woman win three World Cup rounds.
Backstedt finished fifth at the under-23 European Championships and was beaten by both Pieterse and Van Anrooij – both of whom could ride in the elite ranks at Hoogerheide next month.
“Hopefully a podium is possible,” added Backstedt talking about her world championship chances.
“We’ll see what happens with who rides up and who rides under-23. It’s been nice to see so many youngsters dominate the top of elite sport at the…
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