Zoe Bäckstedt takes first senior cyclocross victory in Essen
The 17-year-old wins by more than a minute in Belgium
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Zoe Bäckstedt has claimed her first-ever senior cyclocross victory.
The 17-year-old eased to her debut win amongst the elite women at the Robotland Cyclocross Essen, crossing the line more than a minute ahead of her nearest rival, Laura Verdonschot, who took second place.
In third came Bäckstedt's British compatriot Anna Kay, the 22-year-old a further 30 seconds behind.
"It was really hard, we went straight from the gun," Bäckstedt said afterwards, spattered in mud from her efforts.
>>> Burger King to sponsor men's professional team in 2022
"I was basically running all of the mud [sections] every single lap so it put a lot of pain in my back but it was a really fun course in the end.
"It was so hard because the water was so deep you go down the little hill and sometimes your front wheel would go a bit too deep into the water and one time I did go over the bars but I had to play it by ear and every time I got to that part I'd assess and if it was quicker to run I'd just run."
Still only 17, Bäckstedt doesn't always compete in the elite field, a recent UCI rule change allowing her to test herself in the senior category while still maintaining her focus on keeping the World Cup leader's jersey for her junior age group.
“It gives me a lot of confidence after a hard couple of weeks getting ready for the Christmas period," Bäckstedt continued. "The World Cup next weekend is going to be good for me going into it with the leader's jersey for the junior's race so I'm hoping I can defend that. It's given me a lot of confidence."
In the three senior World Cup rounds Bäckstedt has competed in so far this season, she's come 20th, 26th and 22nd, while also winning the round in Tabor in the U19 category.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Belgian sets new World Record by riding 3,619km in a week
Matthieu Bonne staged his attempt in Arizona desert
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Specialized's radical frame design breaks cover and it's not on the bike we expected
The distinctive 'compliance junction' feature is matched with FutureShock suspension and generous tire clearances on the Sirrus Carbon flat-bar bike
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Watch: Cyclo-cross rider snaps dislocated finger back into place mid-race
Michael van den Ham said his finger was at "the grossest 45-degree angle"
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
17-year-old CX rider ‘catapulted’ into layby by tractor scores top ten finish at national champs
Raph Tabiner from Warrington nearly gave up racing all together after shocking incident
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel deserve big CX appearance fees, says British champ
British national champion says Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel receive high appearance fees for a reason
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Zoe Bäckstedt obliterates all competition to become British female national cyclocross champion
After overcoming a difficult start, Cameron Mason destroyed the field to take the men’s title
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
From learning to read again to racing Wout van Aert: Ben Frederick's journey to the top of cyclo-cross
The American suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2016, but has refound his love for cycling and has ridden some elite CX races this winter
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Wout van Aert wins round 12 of the Men's Cyclocross World Cup in the Zonhoven sandpit
The early stages suggested it was going to be a battle between the top four, but Van Aert went clear and never looked back
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Shirin van Anrooij wins Zonhoven round of the Cyclocross World Cup
Shirin van Anrooij was simply the best rider on the day as she coped best with the sandy course
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Wout van Aert claims most dominant cyclo-cross win of the season at X20 Trofee Koksijde
The Belgian mastered the sand ruts to beat Mathieu van der Poel by over a minute and a half
By Tom Davidson • Published