Welsh Cyclist Zoe Backstedt Wins Stage Three of Tour de Suisse Femmes
UKPulse Sport Desk
Welsh cyclist Zoe Backstedt has taken her ninth professional road race victory in the Tour de Suisse Femmes. The 21-year-old rider won stage three in a dominant finish to a bunch sprint in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland.
- Zoe Backstedt won stage three of the Tour de Suisse Femmes in a bunch sprint
- This is Backstedt's ninth professional road race victory
- The Welsh rider is not in contention for the overall win, lying over 16 minutes behind the leader
Welsh cyclist Zoe Backstedt has made it a triumphant week for British riders in the Tour de Suisse Femmes, winning stage three in a commanding finish to a bunch sprint in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland. The 21-year-old Canyon-Sram rider took full advantage of a perfect lead-out from her team to power clear in the final 300m of the stage, which saw a breakaway reeled in with 19km to go.
Backstedt, who is not a climber and therefore not in contention for the overall win, lies more than 16 minutes behind Italian leader Elisa Longho Borghini in the general classification. Fellow British rider Lauren Dickson remains second overall, 25 seconds behind Longho Borgini.
The stage win was a significant boost for Backstedt, who is known for her speed and agility in time trials. She will be among the favourites to take back-to-back victories in stage four's 24km time trial on Saturday, which she has won five times in her short career.
Why this matters: This victory is a testament to Backstedt's growing reputation as one of the top young riders in women's cycling, and will likely boost her chances of securing a place on the British team for the 2024 Olympic Games.
What this means for you: What this means for you: As a fan of women's cycling, you can follow the progress of Zoe Backstedt and Lauren Dickson in the Tour de Suisse Femmes, which will give you a glimpse into the growing talent pool of British riders.