Zoe Bäckstedt: The Rising Star Dominating the Cycling World

Zoe Bäckstedt, the rising star of Welsh cycling, has been crowned Cycling Weekly's Rider of the Year, a testament to her extraordinary performance throughout the past season. Despite a recent setback with a wrist injury that temporarily sidelined her cyclo-cross season, Bäckstedt's year was marked by unparalleled success across various disciplines. Her achievements include securing multiple world titles, dominating time trials, and clinching significant victories in road races. This recognition highlights her remarkable talent, unwavering dedication, and the profound impact she has made in the cycling world at a remarkably young age.

Bäckstedt's journey to this prestigious accolade has been nothing short of spectacular. Kicking off the year with a bang, she secured two victories at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in January, triumphing in both the mixed team relay and the under-23 race. Her dominance extended to time trials, where she won five out of six competitions, adding national and under-23 world titles to her impressive collection. Reflecting on her season, Bäckstedt expressed surprise at her numerous wins, particularly in road races, acknowledging that everything seemed to align perfectly.

A pivotal moment in her road cycling career came in July at the Baloise Ladies Tour, a multi-stage race spanning Belgium and the Netherlands. Representing Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto, Bäckstedt not only won the overall title but also secured three stage victories, including the challenging 3.1km opening prologue. At just 20 years old, she became the youngest winner in the event's 13-year history, showcasing her precocious talent and strategic prowess. Her ability to recall the race's intricacies, such as the half-hour warm-up for a mere three and a half minutes of intense racing, underscores her meticulous approach to preparation.

The pinnacle of her season arrived in September at the UCI World Championships in Rwanda, where she competed in the under-23 time trial. This race was a major objective for Bäckstedt, and her preparation was exemplary. She vividly recalled observing the first rider's start to absorb the atmosphere of drums, music, and lights, demonstrating her commitment to mental and emotional readiness. Her detailed reconnaissance of the 22.6km course, dissecting it into manageable segments, proved invaluable. During the race, her commanding performance saw her overtake competitors who had started minutes ahead, ultimately securing victory by a significant margin of almost two minutes over the second-place rider.

As she transitions from the junior ranks, Bäckstedt will now proudly wear the red, white, and blue of the British bands in elite competitions, a result of her triumph at the National Championships TT held in her home country of Wales. This victory was particularly special, as her entire family was present to witness her overcome a brutal course, which included a formidable climb. Despite the challenge, Bäckstedt maintained her focus, driven by constant updates from her coach about time gaps. Her determination to give it her all paid off, as she secured gold ahead of defending champion Anna Henderson.

Bäckstedt attributes her success in time trials to a combination of stringent preparation and her inherent power, drawing parallels to the individual effort required in cyclo-cross. She describes cyclo-cross as a battle against oneself, pushing physical limits, a mindset that clearly translates to her time trial performances. Her love for multi-discipline cycling, despite the challenges of switching between road and off-road techniques, is evident. She finds joy in both the sunny roads and the muddy, cold terrains of cyclo-cross, emphasizing that her happiness stems from simply being on a bike.

The passion for cycling was fostered from a young age by her parents, Magnus Bäckstedt, a Paris-Roubaix winner, and Meg, a British road champion. Growing up with bikes as a constant presence, Zoe and her sister, Elynor, were encouraged to ride for enjoyment. Their childhood was filled with social rides and races with local clubs, making competitive cycling a natural extension of their lives. Bäckstedt's first road world title in 2021, followed by a double victory in 2022, solidified her status as a prodigious talent and earned her the first Cycling Weekly Rider of the Year crown. At 21, with nine rainbow jerseys across different disciplines and age groups, Bäckstedt continues to impress with her progress, both as an athlete and an individual, promising an even brighter future in the sport once her wrist injury heals.