Wales’ Zoe Bäckstedt retained her title as junior women’s road race champion with a sensational solo ride in Wollongong, Australia, to celebrate a very special 18th birthday.
Bäckstedt spent just 15 minutes alongside her rivals on Saturday before peeling away from the opposition and storming through the remaining 56km of the 67.2km course on her own to clinch the title. There were more than two minutes separating her from the next rider, France's Eglantine Rayer.
Such a dominant display was perhaps hardly surprising. The Welsh cyclist powered into the occasion holding the junior women’s world titles in cyclo-cross, road race, Madison and time trial after her stunning victory in the time trials earlier in the week. Bäckstedt had finished the 14.1km course in New South Wales in 18min 26.78sec, more than a minute and a half ahead of her nearest competitor in Germany’s Justyna Czapla.
Bäckstedt‘s latest achievement marks her fifth consecutive world title and cements her status as one of the most promising young talents in the sport. It was only last year in Lueven when Bäckstedt claimed her first road world title, then defeating her opponent in a sprint to the finish line.
Since, similar sprints have rarely been required as Bäckstedt took command of the junior circuit in imperious fashion, notably winning the Tour of Flanders by a minute back in May.
In the afterglow of Saturday morning's victory, Bäckstedt revealed her pre-cycle game plan hadn’t included such an early attack.
"I planned to with a lap to go, or something like that, and I came over the climb the first time and I felt really good," she said. "I was climbing at the front which, for a climb like that and for me, the rider I am, is not predicted.
"I was in tears from a kilometre to go. There were so many people out on the course shouting my name and happy birthday, especially on the climb. That's where I needed it the most."
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