Zoe Backstedt only 11 seconds slower in World Championship than bronze medalist Pieterse: "Tried not to make stupid mistakes"

On Sunday, Zoe Backstedt crowned herself cyclo-cross world champion for the second year in a row. After her title last year in Hoogerheide among the juniors, this time she struck gold in Tábor in the U23 category. The British rider even took only slightly longer to complete the four laps in the Czech Republic than the elite women did on Saturday.

"I am over the moon and was quite nervous leading up to the start. It has been a very good season, and I wanted to top it off with this world title. I am so happy that I succeeded in doing that," the British rider said immediately after the race. "It was a very tough race. I am covered in mud from head to toe, and there were points where you almost came to a standstill in the mud. That made it a lot of fun."

After her podium ceremony, she discussed her title in more detail with, among others, IDLProCycling.com. "It was an extremely tough race. It wasn't the kind of course I was expecting, but it looked different every day. So, you really didn't know what to expect," she said with a big smile.

Backstedt steadily imposed her will on the other cyclists in Tábor. "I didn't really attack, but mainly kept up the pace throughout the race. It was only four laps, so... I think that was the best way to do it. I might have expected more of a fight, but that also depends on the course."

Backstedt close to time of elite women's podium finishers

Her time (of 48.24 minutes, compared to Puck Pieterse's 48.13) also puts her close to the podium of the elite cyclo-cross racers on Saturday, and it even seemed as if she was primarily consolidating her lead in the final round. "I went as hard as I could, let's put it that way. After three rounds, you've already been riding at your limit the whole time, so I was especially trying not to make any dumb mistakes anymore and to make sure I got to the finish that way."

The course might have also made a difference, although Backstedt couldn't immediately say to what extent that played a role. "Whether it was easier or more difficult? That depends on the rider. I would have enjoyed Saturday's track as well, but this one was also good for me: I had to think quickly and could use my power in the mud," she concluded with a big smile.