Zoe Bäckstedt scored a haul of points in the two most recent UCI Cyclo-cross World Cups by taking tenth and sixth place in rounds nine and ten, respectively. In Antwerp on Saturday, Bäckstedt returned to the top ten. Today, in muddy conditions in Gavere, the CANYON//SRAM Racing rider rode strongly to take sixth place in the elite category and first place in the U23 category.

Following the two races, Zoe is now ninth in the elite overall classification and third in the U23 overall classification. After what Zoe described as a disappointing race at the World Cup in Namur in mid-December, the 19-year-old has quickly turned her form around.

RIDER REACTIONS

Zoe says, “Today’s race was so incredibly tough! It’s normally one of the hardest races on the calendar, and it lived up to that reputation.”

“We were getting slower lap by lap because the course was getting more cut up and sections that you could ride previously, now you had to run. So, it was a combination of the mud, running, and tiredness.”

“The last two weeks have been a little tough. Of course, I wanted better results in the last races, but I also know the training we did on team camp at the start of December was just perfect for the overall plan. I just had to trust that my coach, Dan, would get me back to the form I’m in again now.”

“I’m super happy with the result today. It was one of my ‘goal races’  this season, and I always have fun on this course. It’s near where I’m training a lot during the winter season, which adds a little more excitement to the day. I want more than sixth place, but I’m also among the best riders in the world, which I can be very happy about.”

Zoe next race is Diegem Cross on 28 December, followed by round eleven of the Cyclo-cross World Cup series in Hulst, Netherlands.

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