Cycling has one less family duo as Zoe Bäckstedt go their separate ways: "I think he's happy"
Cycling
Zoe Bäckstedt and her father, Magnus Bäckstedt, will no
longer be part of the same cycling team heading in to 2025. The former Paris-Roubaix
winner has departed Canyon-SRAM and joined the Cofidis Women team, marking a
significant change for the father-daughter duo who have spent the past few
seasons working together.
"He told me a while ago. I was on holiday actually, and
he called me up and just told me that he wasn't going to be working with me for
the 'cross season as much and that he was moving teams. It's not that I can do
anything about it, it's not my job, it's his job," Zoe shared with Cyclingnews
during Canyon/SRAM's training camp in Portugal.
Read also
Despite the separation, Zoe is supportive of her father’s
new role. "When I found out that he was also going to Cofidis, I was super
happy for him and it's cool to see him working, speaking French all the time in
meetings. You sit there and watch him in a meeting and his brain is just (whirring)
and there's smoke coming out of his ears thinking of things. I think he's
happy."
Magnus, who has a wealth of experience both as a rider and a
mentor, is optimistic about his new position. "Cofidis is a prestigious
team, well known in the world of cycling. The challenge with the women's team
is exciting. I will do everything to contribute and continue to build an
environment that is favourable to the development of female riders," he
said.
His focus will include leveraging his expertise to
strengthen Cofidis Women in various races. "I want to bring my experience,
in the classics of course but also in all the races where I will be asked to go
to allow the team to grow and reach the UCI World Tour."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment