Road World Championships: Zoe Backstedt defends road race title to add to time trial success

Cycling
Zoe Backstedt
Venue: Wollongong, Australia Dates: 18-25 September
Coverage: Live coverage on Red Button, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app plus highlights on BBC Two

Great Britain’s Zoe Backstedt won the junior road race to complete a golden double at the Road Cycling World Championships in Australia.

The 2021 winner attacked early to successfully defend her title on Saturday, winning by over two minutes from France’s Eglantine Rayer.

“I was in tears from a kilometre to go,” said Backstedt on her 18th birthday.

“There were so many people out on the course shouting my name and happy birthday, especially on the climb. That’s where I needed it the most.”

Backstedt attacked just 10km into the 67km race, on the first of four laps of the road race circuit, and finished alone after 1 hour 47 minutes and five seconds.

“I planned to attack with a lap to go, or something like that, and I came over the climb the first time and I felt really good,” she added.

“I was climbing at the front which, for a climb like that and for me, the rider I am, is not predicted.”

Backstedt, who will race on the WorldTour for EF Education-TIBCO-SVB next year, also holds junior world titles in cyclocross and track discipline the madison.

Fellow Welsh rider Awen Roberts finished 16th.

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