Bred for Success: How Backstedt Reaches Cycling’s Peaks

Since clinching the silver medal in the World Time Trial in Montreal, Zoe Backstedt has emerged as one of the most promising talents in professional cycling.

Backstedt began riding at a young age, joining a local club in Wales where she quickly outperformed her peers. Her exceptional ability to manage pace and distribute effort allowed her to dominate junior categories and attract attention from elite development programs.

Backstedt’s Junior Achievements

• World Junior Road Race Champion (2019)
• European Junior Time Trial Champion (2020)
• Three gold medals at the Junior World Championships (2021)

Transitioning to the senior ranks, she competed in major European tours and consistently placed in the top ten. At the 2026 Montreal World Championships, she recorded a time that secured second place behind the race winner, impressing coaches and WorldTour teams alike.

Backstedt is now focusing on improving her climbing power and refining her attack tactics in group races. She trains with a leading European WorldTour squad and works closely with sports scientists to optimise her performance data.

Backed by growing sponsorship and support from her national federation, Zoe aims to capture the elite World Time Trial title within the next few seasons, becoming a role model for aspiring female cyclists across Saudi Arabia and the broader Arab region.