Schreiber sets sights on U23 World Championship title: "Bäckstedt, Bentveld, Zemanová, and I are the top favorites"

Marie Schreiber is having a great cyclo-cross season. The Luxembourgish rider from SD Worx took the time for a chat with IDLProCycling.com after finishing eighth in the World Cup race in Hulst, won by Puck Pieterse!

Fourth in Dublin, second in Flamanville, sixth in Diegem: Schreiber has been a consistent top-ten finisher in elite women’s races for months. Fluent in four languages - English, Dutch, German, and French - the Bettborn native has been particularly strong in World Cup races, currently ranking second in the U23 general classification. "The four best women at the moment are so good they seem to be in a different competition. They are really on another level," she praises the performances of Fem van Empel, Puck Pieterse, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, and Lucinda Brand.

"I think it’s still out of my reach to join them this season," she continues. "The goal is, of course, to get a step closer each year. But they are currently so far ahead, I try to focus entirely on myself. And, of course, on the duels with the U23 women." At the Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Tábor, Schreiber aims to compete for the U23 world title. She anticipates a highly competitive race. "I don’t see myself as the outright favorite for the world title. In my opinion, there are four women with strong credentials: Leonie Bentveld, Zoe Bäckstedt, Kristýna Zemanová, and myself. We are all on a similar level. That will likely lead to an exciting battle at the World Championships."

The coveted rainbow jersey is Schreiber's highest priority. "The Cyclo-Cross World Championships are by far my main goal. I’ve already skipped several World Cup races. That makes it difficult to still win the world cup, especially since I didn’t finish in Dendermonde. I’m second in the U23 standings, but Leonie is now pretty much unreachable. I’d have to win a few times or Leonie would need to not race or drop out. I want to perform well, but it’s not my primary goal."

Schreiber’s form and confidence are certainly not lacking. "I think I'm in good shape. I raced a lot over the Christmas period, but I feel I recover quickly. Overall, the feeling is very positive." This anticipation makes us, cycling fans, eagerly await the titanic clash between Marie, Zoe, Leonie, and Kristýna!