20.09.2023 World-Tour, News, Race news
ZOE WINS GOLD, ANTONIA TAKES SILVER AT EUROPEAN U23 ITT
Zoe Bäckstedt stormed to victory today in the European U23 ITT championship. Zoe took the gold medal, 58 seconds ahead of CANYON//SRAM Racing teammate and U23 ITT World Champion Antonia Neidermaier. Held in Drenthe, the Netherlands, it was a 20.6km flat, non-technical course. The pair proved their time trial strengths to dominate the U23 race, despite being just 18 and 20 years old, respectively.
RIDER REACTIONS
Zoe Bäckstedt: “I spoke to our team coaches, Dan and Stephen, about my pacing strategy before the race. It was very much a power course with all of the straight sections and hardly any technical parts to it. It was more or less push as hard as possible until the finish. I had good radio communication also that was really helpful. I was a bit over on the power, but I’m happy with how I paced it overall and the help the coaches gave me.
At the first time check, I got the news that I was 15 seconds up and then 30 seconds at the second one. We had crosswinds on a section, so I knew that suited me well, and I tried to use that to my advantage.
I’m proud to win the European title. It’s my first European title on the road, so to come into my first event and get the win, I’m really happy with how it went. It was a super hard day on the bike. I expected it to be that as you’re fighting for a European title. So, I’m really happy to take home the jersey.”
Antonia Niedermaier: “The pacing strategy was not too complicated on this type of course. It was just all out from the start to the finish line. I really tried to keep a steady and high pace the whole race. The wind was very strong, so it was even harder for me to keep my line and my pace.
I am really happy with the silver medal. It’s no secret that the course was not really good for my strengths, so it’s even better that I could reach such a good position. Also, my preparation was not perfect because I was a little bit sick the week before the Tour de Romandie. So to race there and then come here and perform well, I can say it was a good race, and I’m very happy with it.”
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