2023 European Cyclo-cross Championships: Zoe Bäckstedt (GB) soars solo to Women’s U23 Title
Briton moves ahead in second lap for crushing lone victory
A commanding display of strength by Zoe Bäckstedt has clinched the Briton a solo victory in the 2023 European Cyclo-cross Championships U23 Women’s race ahead of Marie Schreiber (Luxembourg) and Kristyna Zemanova (Czech Republic).
Fifth in the same event last year, 12 months on Backstedt was simply unstoppable, breaking away early and crossing the finish line a full 34 seconds clear of her closest rival.
Already the current British National Cyclo-cross champion and former Junior World Champion in the same discipline, Bäckstedt’s latest European triumph comes after taking the U23 Time Trial Euro’ title earlier this autumn.
On Sunday’s cyclo-cross race, an early move of four containing Schreiber, Bäckstedt, Lucia Bramati (Italy) and Dutch rider Léonie Bentveld quickly shrank to a duo of the top two podium finishers.
Schreiber then made a lone bid for freedom on the second lap, but she was quickly superceded by Bäckstedt, who moved ahead solo of her closest rival.
Such was her dominance that the Briton was clearly en route to the win, with the only issue to be resolved who would be joining her on the podium and the last lap becoming a victory lap of honour for Bäckstedt in all but name.
Results
Results powered by FirstCycling
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The Independent, The Guardian, ProCycling, The Express and Reuters.
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
POC Aspire cycling glasses review: A sturdy and stylish modern classic
Wide lens but modest height make these ideal for smaller heads -
Tour de Romandie: Thibau Nys wins stage 2 as Plapp attacks for GC
Lidl-Trek rider snags overall lead as Godon distanced -
Tour of Turkey: Tobias Lund Andresen wins stage 5 to retain overall lead
Fabio Jakobsen takes second behind DSM-Firmenich-PostNL teammate -
Mike's Bikes launches 'mega sale' with discounts on everything sitewide
Everything is reduced until Sunday, so it's a perfect time to stock up for the summer