Elynor Backstedt underlined her potential with a stunning bronze medal in the junior women’s time trial at the World Road Race Championships in Austria.
The 16-year-old claimed the first medal for the GB team at the championships in Innsbruck where she will also compete in the road race.
“I didn’t really have any expectations, this is the longest time trial I have ever done,” said the Pontyclun-based rider whose father, Magnus, won Paris-Roubaix in 2004.
“I haven’t really been able to train properly because I’ve had glandular fever, so just to be here is over the moon and to get a medal has just topped it off – it’s just amazing.”
Backstedt, a first-year junior, completed the tough, undulating 2okm course in 27 minutes 20 seconds – 18 secs slower than Dutch rider Rozemarijn Ammerlaan who won gold.
Italy’s Camilla Alessio took silver.
🔈 "I didn't really have any expectations…" @EBackstedt6
We think there might just be some expectations next time 🤩🥉
First medal in our first event at #InnsbruckTirol2018 pic.twitter.com/l5h7uAEQ1s
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) September 24, 2018
The Barnes sisters, Hannah and Alice, won gold in the women’s team time trial with their trade team Canyon-Sram on Sunday, but Backstedt’s bronze is the first medal for a rider in a British jersey at the eight-day championships.
Women Junior Time Trial Podium 🌈
🥇 Rozemarijn Ammerlaan 🇳🇱
🥈 Camilla Alessio 🇮🇹
🥉 Elynor Backstedt 🇬🇧 #InnsbruckTirol2018 pic.twitter.com/RcF2yZVI9d— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 24, 2018
Now read Dai Sport’s special feature on the Backstedts!
The G-Force Pulling Elynor And Zoe Backstedt Towards More Welsh Cycling Glory