Baloise Ladies Tour securely crowned Zoe Bäckstedt as their first professional general classification winner
Zoe Bäckstedt, the rising British cycling star, has added another feather to her cap by winning the Baloise Ladies Tour. This is her first pro general classification victory and marks a significant milestone in her budding career.
The tour, held in Belgium, started on a high note for Bäckstedt as she won the opening night prologue. Her victory was a close-fought one, with Charlotte Kool finishing third, just one second behind her. Ellen van Dijk, another world-class competitor, came in second on the prologue, also one second behind Bäckstedt.
Bäckstedt's success did not end with the prologue. She went on to win the time trial stage of the tour, beating van Dijk once again. This was her second time trial victory in four days during the Baloise Ladies Tour.
The third stage A saw Bäckstedt outperform world-class sprinters Charlotte Kool and Clara Copponi (Lidl-Trek) to secure another victory. Her performance in this stage further cemented her position as a cyclist to watch.
In the final stage, Bäckstedt retained her race lead, triumphing over van Dijk by 12 seconds. This victory sealed her win in the Baloise Ladies Tour.
Bäckstedt's success in the Baloise Ladies Tour is a testament to her growing versatility as a cyclist. She has shown that she is not just a specialist in time trials but can also excel in road races and classics. Her victory in Milan-Sanremo in 2025 is a clear demonstration of her ability in different types of races.
Looking ahead, Bäckstedt has expressed interest in participating in flatter races. Her growing reputation as an all-rounder and success in varied events—including time trials and classics—suggest that she is developing skills applicable to flatter courses as well. Her career trajectory and current team environment at Canyon–SRAM support continued growth in road racing, including flatter terrain events where sprinting and tactical acumen are important.
Bäckstedt is also the reigning under-23 cyclo-cross world champion, holding the title for the past two years. She has expressed anticipation for her return to cyclo-cross at the tail-end of the season.
In conclusion, Zoe Bäckstedt is a rising star with notable road racing achievements across time trials, classics, and stage races. Her versatility as an all-round rider and promising prospects in flatter races make her a cyclist to watch in the future.
Sports have been a significant part of Zoe Bäckstedt's impressive career, with her recent victory in the Baloise Ladies Tour being a testament to her versatility as a cyclist. As she looks ahead, Bäckstedt is keen to participate in flatter races, showcasing her growing reputation as an all-rounder.
