Competition Among Riders in the U23 Women's Time Trial of the World Championships: Focus on Zoe Bäckstedt
British Cyclist Zoe Bäckstedt Favored for U23 Time Trial at 2025 World Championships
Zoe Bäckstedt, the British national TT champion, is set to make a strong bid for the U23 women's individual time trial title at the 2025 World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, on Monday, September 22.
Bäckstedt, who has won two TTs this year, including one at WorldTour level, is a clear favorite for the event. The 20-year-old secured a decisive victory on the challenging 22.6 km course against competitors including Viktória Chladoňová and Federica Venturelli.
The women's U23 time trial will be a separate event for the first time in 2025, with a course that includes one ascent of the Côte de Nyanza climb and the cobbled Côte de Kimihurura.
Other strong riders will be trying to push Bäckstedt to her limit in the race. Lore De Schepper, who took seventh in the elite TT at Belgian nationals, is one such rider.
Bäckstedt will only participate in the time trial, not the road race, at the World Championships. Marie Schreiber, the winner of the elite time trial at the Games of the Small States of Europe, is expected to be a contender in the road race.
Jazilla Mwamikazi, representing Rwanda, has been racking up wins with the World Cycling Centre team and is another rider to watch. Mwamikazi reportedly has impressive numbers in time trials.
In 2025, the under-23 women's TT and road race will have separate teams, allowing nations to send dedicated under-23 squads. This is a significant development, as until 2025, the best U23 finisher in the elite women's races received the rainbow jersey at the World Championships.
Paula Blasi, who made a mid-season step up to UAE Team ADQ's WorldTour outfit, will also be a strong contender. Blasi won a WorldTour time trial on the opening stage of the Tour de Romandie Féminin.
Viktória Chladoňová, who was second in the junior women's TT at last year's World Championships, is another rider to keep an eye on. Chladoňová has been impressive this year for Visma-Lease a Bike.
Charlotte Metoevi, a Benin national, has been training in Wyoming and made her debut at the Maryland Cycling Classic. Metoevi is another promising rider to watch out for in the future.
Cyclingnews will provide coverage of the first-ever UCI Road World Championships on African soil. The event is set to be an exciting showcase of the sport's rising stars, with Bäckstedt leading the charge in the U23 women's time trial.
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