Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) made the verdict at the ultimate lap of the Maasmechelen Global Cup race on Saturday to take a precautionary motorbike trade following a fall within the muddy stipulations. It proved decisive, however for her opponent, Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime), who then took keep an eye on of the race and received a 2nd elite Global Cup contest of her occupation.
The Staff SD Worx-Protime street and cyclocross rider proved apply makes very best as she selected the correct strains during the treacherous direction to win her first Global Cup spherical in 3 seasons, as the ones round her faltered.
Bäckstedt crashed a number of occasions on a troublesome off-camber segment and used to be a kind of riders who had common motorbike adjustments within the dust. She used to be main into the tough function at the ultimate lap earlier than loosing her footing when operating after which converting motorcycles as a ‘precaution’.
The 21-year-old used to be final on Vas within the ultimate moments, however completed only a unmarried 2nd at the back of on the line.
“I’m so disappointed,” mentioned Bäckstedt. “I was so close in the end, but I made a few too many mistakes for the win today.
“I fell over on the off-camber and I decided it was better to change my bike because if something had gone wrong, I needed a new bike for that, so it was just like a precaution.”
The British rider is still searching for her maiden elite World Cup victory and was left reflecting on making ‘too many mistakes’ as she came agonisingly close to victory.
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“It was super difficult, the corner, turning into it is really tough. You have to go super slowly or you have to run. It was just a gamble every lap in the end,” she said.
“It was probably the best course of the season, on par with Dendermonde. I’m head to toe in mud. It’s one of the most fun things,” she added. “We come from Benidorm last weekend, where it was just a gravel race. We come back to Belgium and it’s a proper cyclocross weather.”
Bäckstedt has picked up four elite podiums this cyclocross season and two World Cup second places. However, she has decided to defend her under-23 title at the Cyclocross World Championships, and faces tough competition from Marie Schreiber and European Champion Célia Gery.
When asked about the decision to ride in the under-23 category next weekend. Backstedt added: “It has been decided already. It’s going be a good battle in the under-23 (category) as well. It’s not going to be an easy one, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Vas said practicing the off-camber and her one bike change strategy paid dividends.
“I practiced a lot,” Saturday’s 23-year-old winner mentioned. “We came yesterday and also in this morning, I think five times I did the off-camber [in practice].
“I think it was also smart to change my bike only one time. That’s why I think I came back again to the front. I’m really happy.”
Vas was left surprised at the speed in which Bäckstedt came charging back to her before falling just short at the line.
“One moment before the last running part, I thought that I had it. And then after the downhill, I looked back and I saw that Zoe was coming full gas, but luckily I had the legs for the sprint.”
Experienced Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) also avoided mishaps to take the final podium spot and seal the World Cup series overall, ahead of the final round at Hoogerheide on Sunday.
Reigning world champion Fem Van Empel struggled in the slippery conditions, crashing several times on the difficult off-camber and eventually finishing sixth.
Brand also reflected on a ‘tough but fun’ battle with youngsters Bäckstedt and Vas. The Baloise Glowi Lions rider battled for second place in the final minutes, before having to settle for third.
“It was a really strange feeling,” mentioned Logo. “In the first part of the lap I felt super-strong and the second part I always struggled a little bit.
“It was really hard to make something out of it. The other girls were super strong.”
