"Zoe Bäcktstedt triumphs in her initial national time trial competition on Welsh roads, although it's not her permanent dwelling"
Zoe Bäckstedt Rides Triumphantly at the British National Road Championships
Zoe Bäckstedt, previous national time trial champion, snatched an impressive victory in the elite women's time trial at the British National Road Championships held in West Wales. The 27km (16.7-mile) course, featuring hilly terrain that could equate to a Grand Tour mountain stage when extrapolated, proved challenging but didn't deter the young rider.
Bäckstedt thundered through the finish with a remarkable time of 38:48, making her the sole rider to break the 39-minute mark. In the under-23 race, Millie Couzens showcased a dominating performance, posting a time that would have placed her among the top five in the elite category.
As the race unfolded, Lauren Dickson initially took the lead, but later riders, including a host of WorldTour stars, whittled away at her time. Bäckstedt led the charge, obliterating the first checkpoint in an astonishing 16:43, far quicker than Dickson's time.
Through grit and determination, Bäckstedt managed a negative split in the second half of the race, securing the championship win. Silver went to Anna Henderson, with Pfeiffer Georgi claiming the bronze. Bäckstedt expressed her joy after the race, acknowledging the significance of the win, her home advantage, and the challenging yet rewarding course.
The Dynamic Career of Zoe Bäckstedt
Zoe Bäckstedt's journey in cycling has been marked by numerous milestones. In 2022, she etched her name in cycling history by claiming the junior women's time trial world title. This victory capped off an already-impressive junior career during which she also triumphed in the road race and track events at the world championships[3].
In 2025, Bäckstedt rose to prominence in the elite ranks, claiming her first national time trial title with an outstanding performance on the challenging Ceredigion course[1][2][4].
With her remarkable victory at the British National Road Championships, Bäckstedt solidified her status as a rising star in British cycling, capturing the attention of cycling enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
Source: Cycling Weekly , ProCyclingStats , British Cycling
Enrichment Data:
- Zoe Bäckstedt's significant achievement in time trial events includes her victory as the 2025 British elite women's time trial champion, marking her breakthrough at the elite national level.
- In her junior career, Bäckstedt achieved international success, triumphing in the junior women's time trial world championship in 2022, complementing her road race and track victories at junior world championships[3].
Zoe Bäckstedt added another significant achievement to her cycling career by winning the 2025 British elite women's time trial championship, further solidifying her reputation as a rising star in sports. Her impressive victory at the British National Road Championships in West Wales marked her breakthrough at the elite national level.
