Zoe Bäckstedt plays down chances of success in 2023 - Says it will be “virtually impossible” to win races

18-year-old Zoe Bäckstedt is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in the world of women's cycling. However, having signed her first professional deal with EF Education-TIBCO-SVB she is keen to play down her chances of making an immediate impact.

According to the young Welsh rider, winning races in 2023 will be “virtually impossible.” Instead, Bäckstedt is intent on developing as much as possible, not burdening herself by focusing on getting impressive wins. “There’s not as much pressure for me to go straight in and give results,” she told Cycling Weekly. “I’m just there to help out the team, hope they can get some results and just find who I am.”

After coming home from Wollongong with junior world titles in both the road race and the time trial, Bäckstedt is regarded as a star of the future. Her coach Emma Trott is, like Bäckstedt, keen to temper expectations however, "[Bäckstedt’s goal] will be to learn the ropes in regards to new bike races," Trott said "My perspective is not to expect a great deal from her, so that the pressure is not on her so she can learn and develop in her own time."