At the start of the 2023/2024 cyclo-cross season, Zoe Bäckstedt said she had four goals: U23 World Cup classification, European Championship, World Championships, and an elite podium. After today’s World Cup in Dendermonde, Belgium, the 19-year-old is progressing her way through each goal.

Zoe had a superb race, finishing third and 1:35 minutes behind winner Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and taking her first-ever Elite Cyclo-cross World Cup podium spot. In doing so, Zoe also regained the lead in the U23 World Cup classification and moved to third in the elite classification.

“I’m over the moon with that today! It was a really tough course with a lot of running, but I have some good memories here from the last time it was a World Cup. To finish on the podium here makes me really happy!” said Zoe.

“The conditions were what I expected after all the rain in the last week. It wasn’t really the kind of thing where there was a ‘best line’ or something. It was just a case of putting down the power and hoping for the best! Then, it was just trying to be smart and getting off the bike before you come to a standstill and use the momentum to keep going when you start running.”

“I’m so excited to be back in the lead in the U23 classification! Another World Cup next weekend and an opportunity to show off the jersey! I can’t wait to race in it again,” added Zoe.

Round four of the World Cup series moves to Troyes, France, on Sunday, 19 November.

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