Zoe Backstedt clinched a career-best second place at the elite women's cyclocross World Cup held in Zonhoven, showcasing remarkable talent and grit. The 20-year-old British rider led for approximately half of the race, demonstrating her strength through the technical sand sections, especially the infamous Kuil sand descent.
From the outset, Backstedt powered through the race, establishing herself with about a 20-second lead. Yet, as the race progressed, the competition intensified. A pivotal moment occurred when Lucinda Brand of Baloise Trek Lions made a mistake on a technical corner with just over a lap to go, which unfortunately interrupted Backstedt and allowed Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado from Fenix-Deceuninck to pull away and secure the lead.
"For the first two laps, that's what I was thinking, maybe I can hold this for a little bit longer," Backstedt recalled, emphasizing her determination to maintain her lead. Despite her efforts, she finished five seconds behind Alvarado.
Throughout the race, Backstedt displayed incredible tenacity, especially during the final lap. She noted, "I was giving it my all and was thankfully able to beat Lucinda on the line." This victory placed Backstedt as the runner-up, just behind Alvarado, who celebrated her second World Cup win of the season.
The competition at Zonhoven was fierce. Alvarado, who had recently battled illness, was surprised yet thrilled with her performance. "I didn’t believe Backstedt would come back to us... After yesterday’s feeling, today was totally different, I didn’t expect to win, so it's even more significant," she remarked.
Brand, who had earlier shown strong form, reflected on her misstep with disappointment. "When we caught up with Bäckstedt, I felt strong for two laps and it was going well. Then came... my legs just jammed," she lamented. The mechanical error at the corner, which she has historically struggled with, shifted the race dynamics significantly.
Backstedt's prowess was particularly evident as she navigated the Kuil sand descent, where she initially maintained her lead, driving her ambition forward. Following her lead, Annemarie Worst of the Cyclocross Reds crashed out, eliminating one competitor from the field and solidifying Backstedt's prominent position.
Despite the adrenaline of the race, Backstedt managed to bring some humor to the situation. She shared, "Twice I almost went over my handlebars, I thought, ow, I almost blew it." Her enthusiasm for the sport was clear, indicating her joy and passion for cycling.
This season, Backstedt had shown promising results, including multiple third-place finishes leading up to this event. Having recently switched to the road and performing well there, she entered the ‘cross season with high expectations. She previously won the individual time trial at the Simac Ladies Tour and ranked third overall, positioning her as one of the favored competitors for the upcoming under-23 cyclocross World Championships.
Looking forward, Backstedt faces stiff competition as she defends her under-23 title against fierce rivals, including Marie Schreiber and European champion Célia Gerry. Her recent experiences at Zonhoven, coupled with her impressive overall form, suggest she remains a strong contender for the title.
Alvarado’s victory, meanwhile, serves as a remarkable comeback assertion following her struggles the previous day at Hulst. For her, the win wasn’t just about crossing the finish line first; it reflected her resilience and determination, as she had to dig deep to overcome both physical challenges and fierce competition.
Brand’s frustrations, on the other hand, highlight the unpredictable nature of cyclocross racing, where one minor error can lead to substantial changes in outcomes and athlete standings. Despite this setback, Brand continues to lead the overall series, extending her point advantage significantly after her second-place finish at Hulst the day before.
The Zonhoven Cyclocross World Cup podium presented a captivating glimpse of the current state of competitive women’s cyclocross. With future races on the horizon, fans eagerly anticipate how this season will continue to evolve as athletes push their limits and showcase their incredible skills.
