Zoe Strikes Gold In Baku As Backstedt Sister Act Do It Again

Zoe Backstedt hailed her gold medal at the Baku 2019 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) as the best of her career so far.

The 14-year-old cycling sensation powered her way to victory in the girls individual 10km time trial – two years after older sister Elynor won time trial bronze at the same event in Hungary.

Backstedt overcame the strong crosswinds that dogged the riders on the coastal course, riding past two other cyclists on her way to finishing in 14:35.25, over 19 seconds clear of second place and almost a minute clear of third.

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“This is the best medal I’ve won in my cycling career so far so I’m really happy,” said the Pontyclun rider.

“I’ve had the goal since the start of the year to at least podium in the individual time trial.

“I knew I was strong enough to do that and I’m strong in the wind so I knew out here I’d have a good chance. I rode the course yesterday and came today hoping for gold and I managed to pull it off.

“There were a few moments where I thought the bike was going to go from underneath me due to the wind but I managed to push all the way to the finish and catch two girls who were one and two minutes ahead of me.”