• Home
  • Other Sports
  • Welsh Cycling Ace Zoe Backstedt Starts Year In Fine Style In France

Welsh Cycling Ace Zoe Backstedt Starts Year In Fine Style In France

Welsh cycling prospect Zoe Backstedt notched up another hugely impressive display at the Troyes Cyclocross International in France. The 16-year-old finished fifth in the elite women’s race – even though she is still in her first year in the junior women’s ranks.

Welsh cycling prospect Zoe Backstedt notched up another hugely impressive display at the Troyes Cyclocross International in France.

The 16-year-old finished fifth in the elite women’s race – even though she is still in her first year in the junior women’s ranks.

Pontyclun-based Backstedt came home one min 19 secs down on France’s Lauriane Duraffourg, who is more than two years her senior.

https://twitter.com/WelshCycling/status/1345372339932954624

Duraffourg clocked 41 mins 46 secs to lead home a quartet of local riders before Backstedt crossed the line.

Backstedt – who celebrated her 16th birthday last September by signing for top Belgian Cyclocross team Tormans Acrog – won the opening UCI World Cup junior women’s race in the Czech Republic in November with a stunning victory.

Zoe Backstedt celebrates her victory in the first World Cup Cyclo-cross junior women’s race in the Czech Republic. Pic: Getty Images

But her World Cup campaign has been disrupted since with the two junior women’s races scheduled for Belgium on December 20 and 27 cancelled due to COVID-19.

 

Related News

Hannah Brier was delighted to be selected for the Great Britain team for the World Athletics Championships. Pic: Owen Morgan

Wales track star Hannah Brier Puts Job, Clients, Weddings and Partner on the Backburner to Chase World Championships Glory with GB

Hannah Brier takes time out from training with the Great Britain camp in Japan to tell DragonSport’s Owen Morgan about the hurdles she has already overcome.

Owen Morgan | Sep 10, 2025
Osian Pryce finished fifth at the 2025 JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion.

Osian Pryce, Ioan Lloyd and John Dalton Lead Welsh Charge at Rali Ceredigion

Welsh drivers Osian Pryce, Ioan Lloyd and John Dalton delivered standout performances at the 2025 JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion.

Paul Evans | Sep 09, 2025
Geraint Thomas reacts to the final race of his professional career. Pic: Aamy

It Really is the End of the Glittering Road for Geraint Thomas and There’s Hardly a Dry Eye in the House

Geraint Thomas brought down the curtain on one of Welsh sport’s greatest careers with an emotional final ride at the Tour of Britain on Sunday.

Gareth James | Sep 08, 2025
Melissa Courtney-Bryant has experienced a roller-coaster season. Pic: Owen Morgan

Melissa Courtney-Bryant Ready For Home Straight Glory in Tokyo

Melissa Courtney-Bryant is hoping her rollercoaster 2025 season will end on a high in the 5,000m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 20, as Owen Morgan reports.

Owen Morgan | Sep 06, 2025
Two-time Rali Ceredigion winner Osian Pryce.

Crunch Time As European and British Title Contenders Head to Rali Ceredigion

The JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion takes place this weekend, the fifth year of the event, as Paul Evans reports.

Paul Evans | Sep 05, 2025
Toby Richardson is focussed on competing at the Commonwealth Games and Paralympics. Pic: Owen Morgan

Shark Tale . . . Why Toby Richardson is Determined to Take a Big Bite Out of Life

Rising Welsh athlete Toby Richardson likes to tell people a shark attack resulted in him becoming a wheelchair racer, as Owen Morgan explains.

Owen Morgan | Sep 04, 2025