Zoe Bäckstedt produced a commanding ride in Saturday evening’s individual time trial at the Baloise Ladies Tour, stopping the clock in 13 minutes and 23 seconds over the 10.4km course in Maldegem. The Canyon SRAM rider not only claimed her third stage win of the week but also extended her lead in the general classification heading into Sunday’s finale.
Having already won the morning’s stage 3a road race, Bäckstedt returned to the start ramp just after 19:30, knowing the time to beat was that of Ellen van Dijk, who had posted 13:27. Despite a full day of racing in the legs and soaring afternoon temperatures, the 20-year-old delivered a near-flawless performance to better the Lidl-Trek rider by four seconds.
Van Dijk, a former World and European time trial champion, had looked set to win the stage after overhauling Marthe Goossens’ early benchmark, but Bäckstedt was still out on course. Maintaining a high cadence and aerodynamic posture throughout the flat, fast course, she rode negative splits and maintained her line perfectly through Maldegem’s exposed corners and short straights.
Her winning effort averaged 46.5kph, and when the time went up at the finish line, it confirmed what had been building since the prologue: Bäckstedt had clearly brought her best legs to the Baloise Tour.
Only two riders remained on course who could realistically challenge the new GC standings – Charlotte Kool, who had started the stage with a two-second overall lead, and Nienke Veenhoven. But the time gaps quickly confirmed it wasn’t to be their evening. Kool shipped 35 seconds, and Veenhoven dropped 37, both falling well out of podium contention.
Goossens, riding for AG Insurance-Soudal, held on for third on the stage and now sits third in GC at 26 seconds. Van Dijk moved up to second overall, 12 seconds behind Bäckstedt, but there was no hiding her disappointment at losing out on both the stage and the leader’s jersey.
Bäckstedt, by contrast, was understandably delighted. The effort marked her fourth professional time trial victory, and her second this season after winning the British national title in June. Saturday’s win also completed a rare double on a stage race ‘split day’ – a morning road race win followed by an evening time trial triumph.
While the road race earlier in the day had sapped the legs of many, Bäckstedt remained sharp and focused in the brief recovery window between stages. Her ability to back up such an aggressive ride in the morning with a winning time trial later in the day underlines her growing credentials as a genuine GC rider.
Looking ahead, Bäckstedt now leads the race with a 12-second buffer over Van Dijk and 26 seconds over Goossens. Margaux Vigié, who finished sixth in the time trial, remains just two seconds off the podium and could yet influence the final standings.
Sunday’s concluding stage in Zwevegem covers 127km and includes five laps of a twisting circuit. With potential for crosswinds and late attacks, nothing is guaranteed – but Bäckstedt will wear the leader’s jersey into the finale, with three stage wins already secured and one final test between her and the overall title.
2025 Baloise Ladies Tour Stage 4 result
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Main photo credit: Getty
