Zoe Backstedt, a rising star in British cycling, is gearing up for her inaugural appearance at the Tour de France Femmes, a moment she describes with a blend of exhilaration and apprehension. Following a remarkable start to the season, marked by several key wins and impressive placements in challenging races, the 21-year-old Welsh cyclist approaches the prestigious event with a strong sense of self-assurance. Her primary objective includes a notable performance in the individual time trial, identifying it as a prime opportunity, all while providing crucial support to her Canyon-SRAM teammates as they pursue their collective ambitions.
The news of her selection for the Tour de France Femmes left Backstedt speechless, as she recalled the moment with a radiant smile during a video interview. Her impressive season leading up to this debut has been nothing short of electric, featuring a successful defense of her title at the Baloise Ladies Tour, strong top-five finishes in significant races like Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders, and a clean sweep of British national road and time-trial championships. This string of accomplishments has fueled her confidence as she prepares to embark on the challenging race from Lausanne.
Despite her exceptional form, Backstedt admitted she hadn't necessarily anticipated the call-up, fearing she might 'jinx' the opportunity. She emphasized the importance of consistently giving her all in every time trial this season, striving for 110 percent effort to unequivocally demonstrate her readiness and capability for such a grand stage. Her outstanding performance in time trials this year has been particularly noteworthy, securing four victories out of five individual time trials or prologues. Her sole defeat was a second-place finish in the Tour de Suisse time trial, where she was bested only by the reigning world champion, Marlen Reusser. As the current under-23 world champion in this discipline, Backstedt is considered a strong contender for a stage victory in the Tour's 21km time trial from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon on stage four.
Philosophically, Backstedt embraces the pressure that comes with such a significant event, acknowledging her youth and the many years she still has to develop and prove herself. Her focus remains on maximizing her performance, maintaining concentration, and avoiding distractions. She expressed contentment with any result, whether it's a top 10, a top five, a podium finish, or even a victory, stating she would be grateful and happy with any of these outcomes. Her approach to the time trial is clear: to enjoy the ride, go all out on the downhill sections, and see what she can achieve at the finish line.
The stage four time trial route includes a challenging 1.8km climb with an average gradient of 6.9 percent in its initial half, followed by another smaller ascent and a descent into Dijon. Backstedt humorously recounted her reconnaissance of the course, which took place on her first day back on the bike after Paris-Roubaix. She noted that despite feeling less than optimal during the recon, she fully expects to have stronger legs on race day. The course's straight roads and relatively short climb are ideal for her style, as she prefers not to endure prolonged climbing sections, a sentiment that might be unsettling for her competitors.
Backstedt's Canyon-SRAM team is fielding a formidable lineup, including the 2024 champion Kasia Niewiadoma, who famously won a thrilling edition by a mere four seconds. The team also features sprinter Chiara Consonni and Giro d'Italia podium finisher Antonia Niedermaier. The Tour de France Femmes route is particularly demanding this year, highlighted by a summit finish on the iconic Mont Ventoux on stage seven and an exceptionally grueling final day with four ascents of the Col d'Eze packed into less than 100km.
Within the team, Backstedt will undertake various roles, ranging from targeting the individual time trial and potential stage victories to supporting Niewiadoma's quest for a second title and contributing to Consonni's lead-out train, a role she relished during the Classics season. She emphasized the team's strategic depth, stating, "We've got cards to play, which is super cool." Her recent successes have naturally led her to become a team motivator, a role that comes easily to her. She aims to channel her confidence and positive momentum from her recent wins into the Tour, fostering a vibrant atmosphere and keeping the team motivated. She believes her best performances occur when she's enjoying herself, and she strives to share that positive energy with everyone.
Reflecting on her exceptional year, Backstedt sometimes seems almost surprised by her own achievements. When asked for a single highlight, she found it difficult to choose, listing her two national triumphs, her first WorldTour victory at the Tour de Suisse, and her performance at the Tour of Flanders. In Flanders, she unexpectedly found herself in the leading group, feeling a sense of awe at being alongside such accomplished riders. She ultimately finished behind formidable competitors like Vollering, reigning Tour de France Femmes champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, Classics specialist Puck Pieterse, and former world champion Lotte Kopecky – all of whom she will once again face in Lausanne.
It's remarkable to consider how recently such achievements would have felt like a distant dream, given that the Tour de France Femmes in its current format only re-emerged in 2022. Backstedt expressed her excitement about the transformative changes in women's cycling, having witnessed the sport's progress over the years, including Kasia Niewiadoma's victory in 2024. She hopes that young girls watching today will now feel empowered to dream of wearing the yellow jersey, much like previous generations watched men's cycling but lacked the tangible opportunity to envision themselves achieving the same. This new era, she believes, opens up a world of possibilities for aspiring female cyclists.