Bäckstedt to carry double medal form into Classics

CX fitness bodes well for cobbles campaign

- Snowdon

Teenage sensation Zoe Bäckstedt heads into her first pro-level opening weekend of the Classics having added two World Championship cyclo-cross silver medals to her collection.

In her first year competing as an under-23 rider, the 18-year-old clinched a silver individual medal and played a key role in Great Britain's second place in the mixed team relay.

After winning the junior world title last year Bäckstedt stepped up an age category to battle it out with elite World Cup race winner Shirin van Anrooij. Not deterred by challenging the world number three, the Brit shadowed her Dutch rival before being gradually distanced, but took a clear silver medal.

"I tried to hold on to her wheel for as long as possible," said a pleased Bäckstedt. "That was the only realistic way of me playing it. I knew that if I went in front of her she would come past me again at some point as she has got that bit more endurance.

"I was impressed how long I lasted. I kept the gap fairly close for a while until the last lap where I died a little bit.

"I knew it would be extremely hard to beat her, it would only be if there was a mechanical or something that I would be able to beat her."