Zoe Backstedt delivered on her status as favourite in Kigali, powering to the under-23 women’s time trial world title with a ride of remarkable dominance. The 20-year-old British champion, already a former junior world champion in the discipline, stopped the clock in 30:56 over the 22.6km course, almost two minutes clear of her closest rival.
Slovakia’s Viktoria Chladonova was the only rider who came close to challenging, but she trailed by 1:50 at the finish, securing silver. Italy’s Federica Venturelli claimed the bronze medal, a further 20 seconds back, while Australia’s Felicity Wilson-Haffenden was just 10 seconds off the podium in fourth. Russia’s Alena Ivanchenko, who had set the early benchmark, rounded out the top five.
The day opened with Claudette Nyirarukundo of Rwanda enjoying the honour of being first down the start ramp in front of a home crowd. Her time of 37:14 set the early mark before Anastasiya Samsonova briefly took over. Ivanchenko then made a more serious impression, laying down 33:18 that stood for much of the race.
Canada’s Ava Holmgren came close but missed out by 43 seconds, before Alli Anderson of Australia and Millie Couzens of Great Britain also challenged without surpassing the lead. Chladonova changed that with a strong mid-race ride, flying through the checkpoints and stopping the clock at 32:47 to take the hot seat.
Wilson-Haffenden looked set to topple her after leading at both checkpoints, but faded in the final section to miss silver by 30 seconds. Venturelli also came through strongly, posting 33:07 for third provisionally.
By then, however, all focus was on the last starter. Backstedt wasted little time in underlining her form, catching Julia Kopecky before the first checkpoint and setting the fastest split by 34 seconds. She then overtook Marie Schreiber inside the final kilometres, powering across the finish in 30:56 to secure the rainbow jersey with an emphatic margin.
For Backstedt, it marks a first under-23 time trial world title and another major milestone in her rapid rise through the ranks.
2025 World Championships Time Trial U23 Women result
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