Women's U23 Time Trial World Championships - Notable Riders to Keep an Eye On in the Face-off Between Zoe Bäckstedt and Other Contenders
The cycling world is abuzz with anticipation as the first-ever UCI Road World Championships on African soil approaches. Among the many exciting events, the women's Under-23 Time Trial (TT) is generating a significant amount of interest.
Representing Rwanda with the World Cycling Centre team, Jazilla Mwamikazi has been racking up wins, despite her reported struggles with tactics and technique. Her impressive numbers, however, suggest that she could be a force to reckon with in Kigali.
Meanwhile, Zoe Bäckstedt, the British national TT champion, is the clear favorite for the women's U23 TT. She has already added two more TT victories to her name this year, including one at WorldTour level, making her the most decorated time trialist on the start line.
However, Bäckstedt's dominance may not go unchallenged. Viktória Chladoňová, who finished second in the junior women's TT at last year's Worlds, and other strong riders are expected to push her all the way.
The course for the women's U23 TT is a challenging one, featuring a 22.6km route that includes an ascent of the Côte de Nyanza climb and the cobbled Côte de Kimihurura. The event is expected to favor strong specialists, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.
In a mid-season move, Spain's Paula Blasi has stepped up to UAE Team ADQ's WorldTour outfit. Her impressive performance at the Tour de Romandie Féminin, where she won a WorldTour time trial, has further boosted her chances.
The under-23 women's TT and road race are separate from the elite races, with dedicated under-23 squads for nations to send. Marie Schreiber, who won the elite TT at the Games of the Small States of Europe, and Charlotte Metoevi, a Benin national training in Wyoming and making her debut at the Maryland Cycling Classic, are also set to participate.
As we gear up for the 2025 Road World Championships in Kigali, subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to coverage of this historic event. Keep in mind that until 2025, the best U23 finisher in the elite women's races received the rainbow jersey at the Worlds. However, for the women's U23 TT and road race, only riders on WorldTour and ProTeams who are younger than 23 are eligible to participate.
While specific predictions for the favorite in the women's U23 TT have not been publicly confirmed yet, one thing is certain - the competition is going to be fierce. Don't miss out on the action!
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