Demi Vollering take note: Elite debutant Zoe Bäckstedt's previous World Championship results show why she's a contender

Zoe Bäckstedt was named as the leader for the British women's world championship squad this week, on the same level as Tom Pidcock for the men's. She is one of the clear favourites for the time trial on Sunday, and is a dark horse for the elite women's road race. Her results in the women's junior ranks at this level show my Demi Vollering, Marlen Reusser, and others, need to take note.

Bäckstedt is a multi-time junior world champion in time trial, road racing, and cyclocross, and 2026 is proving a break out 2026. The Canyon Sram rider came 5th at the women's Tour of Flanders and 12th at Paris Roubaix Femmes.

In the summer, Bäckstedt impressed in the Tour de Suisse, finishing a close second to Reusser in the time trial and winning the sprint convincingly on stage 3.

The rider from Wales then doubled up at the British National Championships in June, wining the time trial and road titles. Something Bäckstedt will hope to repeat against Vollering and the best in the world on Sunday.

Just as she has done in cyclo-cross, Zoe Bäckstedt is steadily building her career on the road and is now ready to face the likes of Vollering and Reusser in the elite category.

‘It was about time; this season’s results prove that I’m good enough to compete at elite level.’ And how right she is: this year, as well as the Tour de Suisse, Bäckstedt won a stage win and the overall victory in the Baloise Belgium Tour. She also made her debut in the Tour de France Femmes, finishing 4th in the individual time trial.

At the World Championships, Bäckstedt will compete in both the time trial and road race. ‘I’m in the best possible form here,’ she said from the British camp. ‘I’d love to win here, but a podium finish would also be a very good result.’

So there’s no shortage of ambition. ‘But I’m only 21. I’m one of the favourites for the road race and I think the course suits me. But the time trial is my main goal. That’s when I can show what I’m capable of.’