Zoe Bäckstedt retains junior road race title with stunning solo ride at World Championships

The Welsh rider celebrated her 18th birthday with a 58km solo attack and another rainbow jersey

Zoe Backstedt wins junior road race at worlds 2022
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Even by her own standards, Zoe Bäckstedt’s ride in this morning’s World Championships junior road race was special. 

The Welsh rider spent just 15 minutes alongside her rivals on her 18th birthday, before she broke free on a descent and powered alone to victory in Wollongong, Australia. It was the dominant display many expected of her before the race, and one that solidified her status as one of the sport's most promising young talents. 

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Tom Davidson
Senior News Writer

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.

An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.