Zoë Bäckstedt postpones cyclo-cross after “life-threatening” training crash: “Please wear a helmet”

Zoë Bäckstedt has endured a tough week. The 21-year-old Briton from CANYON//SRAM rounded off a strong road campaign and looked set to make waves among the elite in cyclo-cross. That plan is on hold for now after what she describes as a life-threatening training crash.

Bäckstedt is no stranger to cycling fans, having broken through as a teenager on road, track and in the mud. Year after year she confirmed the hype, with world titles in cyclo-cross at junior level (2022) and U23 (2024 and 2025), and—on the road—her first elite win in 2024 in the Simac Ladies Tour time trial.

In 2025 she stepped up again on the road: she won the British ITT title, then took three stages and the overall at the Baloise Ladies Tour. After finishing fourth at the Simac Ladies Tour, she headed to Rwanda and became U23 world time trial champion—closing her road season there.

After a brief reset she went back to work for the cross season. Training in British rain and sunny mountains alike, everything was on track—until Friday’s heavy fall. “A perfect month of training and ‘holidays’” she wrote on Instagram.

The crash left her with two small fractures in her hand and wrist, forcing a pause. “It’s a shame to have this outcome and to miss the first races of the season but give me time and I’ll come back stronger. One thing I know for sure, my helmet saved my life. Thank you Giro", she mentioned her helmet-brand. The message was clear: this helmet made the difference.