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Zoe Backstedt Wins Gold at U23 Women’s Time Trial World Championships
On the second day of the 98th UCI Road World Championships, 20-year-old Briton Zoe Backstedt claimed the gold medal in the Under-23 Women’s Individual Time Trial (ITT). She completed the 22.6 km course in 30 minutes and 56 seconds, finishing ahead of her competitors.
The route passed through several key areas in Kigali, including BK Arena, Rwahama, Kimironko (Simba Supermarket), Kwa Chez Lando, Prince House, Sonatube, Nyanza in Kicukiro, Gahanga (Master Steel), Rwandex, Mu Kanogo, the City Center, Mediheal, Kwa Mignone, and Ku Muvunyi.
Rwandan rider Nyirarukundo Claudette, competing in her first World Championship, was the first among the local riders to start the race and finished 31st with a time of 37 minutes and 14 seconds. Another Rwandan competitor, Ntakirutimana Martha, finished 27th in 36 minutes and 27 seconds.
Slovakia’s Viktoria Chladoñova took silver, finishing 1 minute 50 seconds behind Backstedt, while Italy’s Federica Venturelli earned bronze, trailing by 2 minutes 11 seconds.
Meanwhile, the Under-23 Men’s Time Trial began at 7:50 a.m., covering a distance of 31.2 km from BK Arena to KCC.
The event highlighted emerging talent among young cyclists, including Rwanda’s first-ever representatives at this stage of the World Championships.
