Zoe Bäckstedt with her first World Cup podium in Dendermonde: "I am happy that I was able to hold on to third place"

Zoe Bäckstedt crossed the line in third place at the World Cup Cross in Dendermonde on Sunday afternoon. The 19-year-old British fought a nice duel with the Belgian Marion Norbert-Riberolle, who gave her a good run for her money.

"I am very happy with third place," Bäckstedt said in an interview afterwards. "I didn't feel 100 percent, though, because I had a bit of a cold."

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The young British rider saw the Belgian approaching throughout the entire cross, and at one point the difference was even reduced to five seconds. "It was really very close. During the last corners I saw them constantly behind me, but I am happy that I was able to hold on to third place."

For the British it is her second podium of the season after the Nacht van Woerden. Bäckstedt became European champion among the promises last week. "I just want to see how things go, grab some podiums every now and then and also end the season well with the promises."

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