Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) made the choice on the ultimate lap of the Maasmechelen World Cup race on Saturday to take a precautionary bike change following a fall within the muddy circumstances. It proved decisive, however for her opponent, Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime), who then took management of the race and gained a second elite World Cup contest of her profession.
The Team SD Worx-Protime street and cyclocross rider proved observe makes excellent as she selected the appropriate traces via the treacherous course to win her first World Cup spherical in three seasons, as these round her faltered.
Bäckstedt crashed a number of occasions on a tough off-camber part and was a type of riders who had common bike modifications within the mud. She was main into the tough characteristic on the ultimate lap earlier than loosing her footing when operating after which altering bikes as a ‘precaution’.
The 21-year-old was closing on Vas within the ultimate moments, however completed only a single second behind on the line.
“I’m so dissatisfied,” stated Bäckstedt. “I used to be so shut in the long run, however I made a couple of too many errors for the win in the present day.
“I fell over on the off-camber and I made a decision it was higher to vary my bike as a result of if one thing had gone fallacious, I wanted a brand new bike for that, so it was similar to a precaution.”
The British rider remains to be looking for her maiden elite World Cup victory and was left reflecting on making ‘too many errors’ as she got here agonisingly near victory.
“It was tremendous tough, the nook, turning into it’s actually robust. You must go tremendous slowly or you need to run. It was only a gamble each lap in the long run,” she stated.
“It was most likely the most effective course of the season, on par with Dendermonde. I’m head to toe in mud. It’s one of the enjoyable issues,” she added. “We come from Benidorm final weekend, the place it was only a gravel race. We come again to Belgium and it is a correct cyclocross climate.”
Bäckstedt has picked up 4 elite podiums this cyclocross season and two World Cup second locations. However, she has determined to defend her under-23 title on the Cyclocross World Championships, and faces robust competitors from Marie Schreiber and European Champion Célia Gery.
When requested in regards to the choice to trip within the under-23 class subsequent weekend. Backstedt added: “It has been determined already. It’s going be an excellent battle within the under-23 (class) as effectively. It’s not going to be a simple one, I’m actually wanting ahead to it.”
Vas stated training the off-camber and her one bike change technique paid dividends.
“I practiced so much,” Saturday’s 23-year-old winner stated. “We got here yesterday and likewise on this morning, I feel 5 occasions I did the off-camber [in practice].
“I feel it was additionally sensible to vary my bike just one time. That’s why I feel I got here again once more to the entrance. I’m actually joyful.”
Vas was left stunned on the pace by which Bäckstedt got here charging again to her earlier than falling simply brief on the line.
“One second earlier than the final operating half, I believed that I had it. And then after the downhill, I regarded again and I noticed that Zoe was coming full fuel, however fortunately I had the legs for the dash.”
Experienced Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) additionally averted mishaps to take the ultimate podium spot and seal the World Cup sequence total, forward of the ultimate spherical at Hoogerheide on Sunday.
Reigning world champion Fem Van Empel struggled within the slippery circumstances, crashing a number of occasions on the tough off-camber and ultimately ending sixth.
Brand additionally mirrored on a ‘robust however enjoyable’ battle with children Bäckstedt and Vas. The Baloise Glowi Lions rider battled for second place within the ultimate minutes, earlier than having to accept third.
“It was a very unusual feeling,” stated Brand. “In the primary a part of the lap I felt super-strong and the second half I all the time struggled slightly bit.
“It was actually laborious to make one thing out of it. The different ladies had been tremendous robust.”
