Zoe Bäckstedt kickstarts her 2023/2024 cyclo-cross campaign tomorrow in the USA. The CANYON//SRAM Racing rider will debut at the Major Taylor Cross Cup this weekend, 7 and 8 October, in Indianapolis, followed by the first round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Waterloo.

Zoe says, “I’m hyped for the coming cross season! It’s approached fast, it seems, after a fun road season! The excitement level is 90, and the nerves are at level 10, ha!”

The cyclo-cross season preparation started in earnest for Zoe at the Simac Ladies Tour, her debut road race with CANYON//SRAM Racing. Winning the Best Young Rider classification gave Zoe a confidence boost. She followed that by winning the U23 Individual Time Trial at the European Road Championships and another strong performance in the U23 road race.

“I’m feeling pretty good! I ended my road season on a high, and my form was certainly there, so I’m hoping that will stick with me for a while into the start of the cross-racing.”

Recently turning 19 years old, Zoe adds, “Most of my preparation has been on the road, but I’ve done a couple of cross sessions in the last week to get the feeling back on the CX bike and in the dry, dusty conditions ahead of the races in America.”

“My goals for the first two weekends of the season are to get a good feeling on the CX bike and test out my new equipment!” says Zoe, who will use the new Canyon Inflite CFR with SRAM RED eTap AXS.

“Of course, I’d love some results but I’m here to enjoy it and prepare for the world cups in Europe.  My overall goals this season are the U23 World Cups, European Championships, and World Championships. I’d love to take an elite podium in a world cup too, but we will see what the season brings.”

Following the first weekend in the USA, Zoe will return to Europe to race Cyclo-cross Ruddervoorde on 28 October, round two of the Cyclo-Cross World Cups in Maasmechelen on 29 October, and the European Championships on 5 November.

Facebook

Twitter