Barnstorming Bäckstedt wins U23 European CX Championships

Cameron Mason and Cat Ferguson both grab silver for GB amid British success in France

- Tom Thewlis, Snowdon Sports

Zoe Bäckstedt crushed all competition last weekend to land the women's under-23 title at the European Cyclocross Championships in France.

The 19-year-old's latest accolade was the crowning glory in a weekend of success for the Great Britain cycling team. As well as Bäckstedt's gold, Cameron Mason took the runner-up spot in the elite men's race and rising star Cat Ferguson sealed silver in the women's junior race. Plus, the squad took silver in the team relay.

In the U23 women's race, once Bäckstedt got going she was simply unstoppable and finished 34 seconds ahead of her nearest challenger. Twelve months previously she finished fifth in the same competition but no one could go with her this time when she launched her race-winning move.

Originally part of a four rider-strong move, Bäckstedt then clawed back a late dig from Luxembourg's Marie Schreiber before catapulting herself over the top of her rivals and into the lead.

Bäckstedt kicked on to what was essentially a victory lap for her to celebrate her new titles.

The 19-year-old already holds the British elite women's national title in the same discipline and is also a former junior world champion. Earlier this autumn she also secured the female under-23 European time trial title too.