In Liévin, northern France, Zoe Backstedt once again made history at the Cyclo-cross World Championships, securing her second consecutive U23 world title. On a demanding course, the British rider overcame the race’s challenges to claim victory with authority. Her teammates Ella Maclean-Howell, Imogen Wolff, and Cat Ferguson also delivered strong performances, all finishing inside the top 15.
A Chaotic Yet Controlled Race.
From the opening lap, Backstedt took control, setting a high tempo alongside her main rivals, France’s Célia Gery and Luxembourg’s Marie Schreiber. However, an early mistake nearly derailed her ambitions—a slight slip saw her drop back to fifth place. Unfazed, she kept her composure and steadily picked off her competitors one by one. A perfectly timed bike change from Schreiber presented Backstedt with the ideal opportunity to launch her attack. By the halfway mark, she had stamped her authority on the race. Despite a late surge from Schreiber to close the gap, the British rider expertly managed her lead, crossing the finish line with a commanding 26-second advantage and a beaming smile. With this triumph, she becomes only the second rider to win this title twice, following in the footsteps of her compatriot Evie Richards (2016 & 2018).
A Rising British Team.
While Backstedt stole the spotlight, her British teammates also showed great promise. Maclean-Howell, who competed at the Paris Olympics, delivered a consistent performance to secure a solid eighth place. Imogen Wolff, after a rollercoaster race, fought back strongly to claim ninth. Meanwhile, rising star Cat Ferguson saw her top-10 hopes dashed by a puncture but still managed a respectable 13th place.
Beyond Backstedt’s individual triumph, these World Championships confirmed Britain’s growing strength in cyclo-cross, highlighted by a stunning victory in the mixed relay on the opening day. The British squad—Zoe Backstedt, Cat Ferguson, Oscar Amey, Thomas Mein, Zoe Roche, and Milo Wills—produced an outstanding team display. Backstedt led off against an all-male field, handing over in ninth place to Wills, who produced a spectacular charge up to fifth. Zoe Roche and Oscar Amey continued the momentum, before Ferguson launched the team into the podium positions ahead of the final handover. The race climaxed with a thrilling sprint showdown between Thomas Mein and Italy, with the Brit edging out victory by just two seconds.
This collective success, combined with the strong individual performances, underscores Britain’s rapid rise in cyclo-cross. With riders like Tom Pidcock—now a double Olympic champion in the discipline (2021 & 2024)—leading the charge, British cyclo-cross is firmly establishing itself as a powerhouse on the world stage.
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