'When I crossed the line, I was over the moon' - Zoe Bäckstedt takes silver in elite Worlds time trial debut
The 21-year-old briefly thought gold was possible before finishing second in Montréal, validating her decision to step up from the under-23 ranks
Zoe Bäckstedt's debut in elite women's time trials was a triumphant moment on the podium in Montréal. The 21-year-old Welsh cyclist, who previously won the under-23 title, secured silver in her first appearance at the UCI Road World Championships. After a fourth-place finish at the Tour de France Femmes, Bäckstedt's silver medal marked a significant improvement and validation for her decision to step away from the under-23 competition.
The 39.2-kilometre course was the longest women’s time trial in World Championship history, making Bäckstedt’s performance even more impressive. She led through the first two intermediate checks, but Germany's Franziska Koch closed the gap in the second half, ultimately securing the gold medal. Bäckstedt expressed immense respect for Reusser's performance and credited her own strong ride in the first half as a key factor.
With the road race approaching, Bäckstedt will focus on recovering and preparing for the challenges ahead.
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