Zoe Bäckstedt looking to take another step in the cyclocross season: "Like everyone else here, I want to win"

Zoe Bäckstedt rode her second race of the season at the Aardbeiencross Merksplas yesterday. The race was won by Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado ahead of Lucinda Brand and Marie Schreiber, while Bäckstedt finished the Superprestige race in a passable seventh place.

After a strong start to the race, Zoe Bäckstedt was able to establish herself in fifth position during the first few laps, but dropped back to tenth as the race intensified. Thanks to her determination, she nevertheless fought her way back bit by bit and was ultimately able to finish the highly technical and fast race in seventh place.

"Today was just as tough as the first race last weekend, but it was also just as much fun. The last lap was intense and I'm now tired right after the finish line," Bäckstedt said after the race, as stated by the team on the official website. "Give me a few minutes to recover and I'll probably feel better about the race!"

Zoe Bäckstedt is aware that she has not yet exhausted her abilities, which is not likely after her mixed road season: "So far I'm happy with the start to the season. Like everyone else here, I want to win. But I also have to be realistic. I haven't had the best summer, with illness, and I can't expect too much from myself in the first two races of the season. I did some training on the cross bike at the end of the road season, but I need more and these races help me to prepare for the World Cups. There's another race tomorrow in Hamme and we'll see how I do there."