Fresh from a mid-season break, Zoe Bäckstedt stormed into sixth place on today’s final stage of Vuelta a Burgos Féminas, an individual time trial.

The 9.4km course was point to point between two quaint Burgos villages, with a technical mix of abrupt speed bumps, twisty narrow lanes, plenty of ups, and an equal measure of downs. The surfaces demanded strong concentration also. CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto conducted a recon of the course and were surprised by the technical nature of the roads, but didn’t let it affect the mindset going to the start line.

Zoe was one of the early starters, heading off 21st in the 109-strong field. She laid down an impressive early marker which was to stand until Lotte Kopecky (SDW) swept across the finish line two seconds faster with twelve riders left to go.

Sitting in 18th on GC, teammate Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka, was one of the next riders to cross the finish line. The ever consistent and versatile performer, Agnieszka put in a very strong ride to slot herself into sixth fastest time. Top GC and formidable TT riders then rolled through. Both Zoe and Aga slipped slightly down the standings to sixth and thirteenth as overall winner Marlen Reusser (MOV) also took stage honours. With her commendable ride, Aga elevated herself up the GC standings to fifteenth place.

After averaging an impressive 43.1km/hr for the undulating 9.41km course, Zoe reflects on the stage.

“I’m a little bit tired now! I think that’s a good thing to say after a time trial. I feel I did quite a good ride after a few hard stages here in Burgos, and also not so much time back training after my mid-season break after the classics season.”

“All in all, I’m quite pleased with today’s ride. There were a few moments where I could have played it better. If I had time to recon the course twice, maybe I also would have done a few sections slightly differently. But on the whole, and considering how my legs felt, I’m happy with it.”

Agnieszka was able to overcome her disfavour for the course after the recon to put it all on the line and finish the four-day stage with another solid performance.

“It was a technical course with speed bumps and road conditions to navigate. In the end, I’m quite happy with how I could do the TT after these three days of racing. I could push even more power than I set myself today, so I’m proud of that.”

“For sure on the corners, I lost some seconds, and I feel like I could have improved there. I didn’t really like the course much after the recon, but when I was on the start line I had a different mindset and I was able to focus entirely on giving it everything.”

“I didn’t come here with any GC ambitions due to the climbing, but to move up a few places after the TT stage is a small bonus. I can take some confidence going into my next race, which will be Tour de Suisse. There, I will face also some more climbing, but there is one stage that is quite interesting for me and I’m looking forward to it.”