'The results prove that I'm good enough' - 21-year-old Zoe Bäckstedt makes elite Worlds debut as a time trial favourite and road leader

Zoe Bäckstedt, a 21-year-old Welsh cyclist, has made her debut in the elite World Championships as a strong contender in both the time trial and road race events. Bäckstedt declined the opportunity to defend her under-23 time trial title in Canada, opting instead to compete against the world's top cyclists in Montreal. She explained that she felt it was time to take on the elites and that her season's results proved she was good enough for the competition.

Bäckstedt's results this year include victories in the Vuelta a Extremadura and Baloise Ladies Tour. She also defended her British elite title and finished fourth in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, behind Marlen Reusser, Lieke Nooijen, and Demi Vollering. Despite missing the podium at the Tour, Bäckstedt saw the experience as motivation to train harder and come to Montreal in peak condition.

Her performance at nationals and the Tour earned her a leadership role on Great Britain's road race team. Bäckstedt expressed confidence in her ability to compete in the road race, although she remains focused on her primary goal of dominating the time trial. The road race will test her ability to adapt to changing race dynamics, as she will be without race radios to coordinate strategy. Her team includes Anna Henderson, Flora Perkins, Lauren Dickson, and Pfeiffer Georgi.