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National Road Championships: Zoe Backstedt seals double with elite women's road race win

BBC Published Jun 28, 2026 Reviewed Jun 30, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors
Citation-ready fact
Zoe Backstedt won the British elite women's road race in Aberystwyth.
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Citation-ready fact
Millie Couzens won the bronze medal.
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Citation-ready fact
Fred Wright won the elite men's road race.
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Fred Wright is 27 years old.
27 years · age
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Fred Wright pipped Lewis Askey to first place, with Connor Swift finishing third.
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Zoe Backstedt finished one minute and 42 seconds ahead of the runner‑up.
102 seconds · time difference
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Zoe Backstedt retained her British national elite women's time trial title three days earlier.
3 days · time between events
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Zoe Backstedt became the first British woman to complete the time trial and road race double since 2019.
2019 year · last double
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Zoe Backstedt took control of the race with 14km remaining.
14 km · distance to go
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Zoe Backstedt produced a stellar display to win the British elite women's road race in Aberystwyth.

The 21-year-old spectacularly overhauled Josie Knight before finishing one minute and 42 seconds clear of the DAS-Hutchinson rider, who took runner-up spot.

Millie Couzens pipped Pfeiffer Georgi to bronze in Ceredigion.

The Welsh rider's latest success came just three days after she retained her British national elite women's time trial title.

She became the first British woman to complete the time trial and road race double since Alice Wood in 2019.

Having attacked early on, Knight opened up a sizeable lead.

Backstedt, Matilda McKibben and Jo Tindley worked to hunt down the leader, although it was Canyon//SRAM rider Backstedt who then launched a solo effort to haul in Knight.

As the previous leader tired, Backstedt took control and led with 14km to go before seeing out the victory to cap off an impressive double.

Fred Wright came out on top after a thrilling finale to win the elite men's road race.

The 27-year-old, riding for Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, pipped Lewis Askey to top spot on the podium following a sprint to the finish line, with Connor Swift coming third.

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