Zoë Backstedt stormed to victory in the 2025 Baloise Ladies Tour prologue, securing a dominant win on the 3.1km course around Yerseke. The 20-year-old British rider, racing in her British Elite Time Trial champion’s kit, set a blistering time of 4:06, which was enough to beat Ellen van Dijk by two seconds and Charlotte Kool by a further second, taking the first leader’s jersey of the race.
The Baloise Ladies Tour kicked off with a short, sharp prologue that demanded a full-gas effort from start to finish. The course, known for its technical corners and exposure to strong winds, challenged riders to balance power and skill, but Backstedt handled the conditions with impressive poise.
With an average speed of 45.3kph, Backstedt completed the 3.1km course in just 4:06, outpacing her competitors to claim the win. Despite the technical nature of the race, with six corners packed into such a short distance, Backstedt showed her strength, particularly in the final sector, where she accelerated towards the line to seal the win.
A Surprise Victory
“I wasn’t expecting it, to be honest!” Backstedt admitted after crossing the finish line. “I was looking forward to this start but had no real expectations. It feels great to pull it off and although it was only by a small margin, I’m really happy!”
Backstedt also commented on the tough conditions she faced during the prologue. “The course was so windy and quite technical with six corners in just 3.1km! I’m pleased with how I rode. I think I could have taken a few corners a bit faster, but I wanted to stay cautious. Despite that, I loved the race! The new suit gave me some extra motivation and maybe a bit of extra power out there today. A good debut for the stripes!”
Making the Most of Her Debut in the Leader’s Jersey
With the victory, Backstedt claimed the first leader’s jersey of the 2025 Baloise Ladies Tour. Her win not only highlighted her individual time trial abilities but also underscored her adaptability in such a short, intense race. The 20-year-old has proven herself as a versatile rider in the past, and her strong prologue performance has made her an early favourite for the overall classification.
As the Baloise Ladies Tour progresses, Backstedt’s win in the prologue will provide a confidence boost as she heads into the next stage, a flat and fast road race from Jabbeke to Knokke-Heist. With her time trial skills already shining through, she will be a key contender in the coming days, particularly with her leader’s jersey now on the line.
Looking Ahead
Backstedt’s prologue victory sets the stage for what could be an exciting week of racing in the Baloise Ladies Tour. With her strong time trial performance and the leader’s jersey now on her shoulders, the British rider will face fierce competition in the upcoming stages, but her victory in Yerseke shows she has the form to defend her position.
For now, Backstedt will enjoy her moment in the spotlight, knowing that her strong start to the race could be the first step toward even greater success in the coming days.
2025 Baloise Ladies Tour Prologue results
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Canyon SRAM
