Backstedt claims gold in U23 time trial at Worlds

At the Road World Championships in Rwanda, Britain’s Zoe Backstedt won the under-23 time trial championships in a dominant performance.

On a challenging 22.6km course around the capital Kigali, which is steeped in history, Backstedt, 20, came home with the rainbow jersey and gold medal, finishing one minute 51 seconds ahead of Slovakia’s Viktoria Chladonova, with Italy’s Federica Venturelli in third place.

In the final section of a course that included two significant climbs, the favorite for victory set a blistering pace, with many competitors losing their energy as a result.

Backstedt later admitted that it’s “brutal climbing here,” but that he really enjoys it. The climb at the end is so difficult that you look up and think “this one’s going to hurt” because your legs are tired. On all of those bumps, it took so much energy from your arms, legs, and body.

Backstedt, a Welsh woman, crossed the line and was immediately icy-cold in the heat and humidity of 26C as she gasped for air.

The Road Worlds, which started in 1921, have for the first time been held in Africa.

Backstedt, a member of the Canyon-Sram Zondacrypto team, is Elynor’s sister and Swedish champion Elynor’s sister.

Saturday, September 27

Women’s Road Race on the iPlayer/BBC Sport website and app from 10:55-16:15 BST.

Sunday, September 28.

08: 35-16: 05 – Men’s Road Race on iPlayer/BBC Sport website and app