Rainbow glory for GB juniors in Wollongong

Tarling and Bäckstedt prove top against the clock in Australia, reports Adam Becket

- Adam Becket

Tuesday was a golden day for Great Britain at the World Championships in Wollongong, Australia, as both Zoe Bäckstedt and Josh Tarling stormed to their respective junior time trials.

It was not just a victorious day for GB, but for Wales, with the two riders both hailing from the western side of the Severn Bridge.

The junior women came first, with Bäckstedt last on the start sheet for the 14.1km race.

Unsurprisingly considering her recent results, she dominated affairs with a time of 18-27, meaning an average speed of 46.854kph.

Her pace was such that she beat Justyna Czapla (Germany) into second, by 1-36, with Febe Jooris (Belgium) another 13 seconds back in third.

It is Bäckstedt’s second rainbow jersey on the road, after she won the women’s junior road race in Flanders last September. She holds junior world titles in cyclo-cross and in the Madison on the track and will start this Saturday’s 67.2km road race as clear favourite. Saturday is also her 18th birthday.

Speaking after her win, Bäckstedt said she was happy to pull it off, and there was “no pressure” on her to deliver, and she was just trying to enjoy herself.