The Belgian team of Jean-François Bourlart started the World Championships weekend in a sensational way. British rider Zoe Bäckstedt became junior world champion on the American course in Fayetteville and was imitated two hours later by Belgian rider Joran Wyseure in the U23 category. Thanks to exemplary teamwork, Emiel Verstrynge joined his compatriot on the second step of the podium.
The 17 year old Briton lined up at 18h (Belgian time) and dominated from the first lap. After her attack on the long climb, Bäckstedt never looked behind and steadily increased her advantage on her competitors. After five laps of 3100 meters the European champion in the discipline became the second junior world champion in history.
As expected, tactics played a major role in the men’s U23 category. The trio of Tormans Cyclo Cross Team composed of Théo Thomas (France), Emiel Verstrynge (Belgium) and Joran Wyseure (Belgium) started well and immediately positioned in the front. The Belgian and Dutch federations were well represented and succeeded each other in the lead of the race.
After one lap of observation, Joran Wyseure was the first one to attack. With the help of his teammate Verstrynge, he managed to increase his lead to 15 seconds at the end of the third lap. Wyseure then maintained a rhythm around seven minutes per lap, resisting to the Dutch trio Kamp, Hendrikx and Ronhaar. Despite their chase, the former world champions never managed to close the gap.
At the age of 21, Joran Wyseure became U23 world champion after an effort of almost 50 minutes. Verstrynge, who showed exemplary teamwork, attacked his companions with one and a half lap to go to join his teammate on the podium. Frenchman Théo Thomas finished 31st in his third U23 world championships.
Joran Wyseure:
« I’m a World Champion! This is not normal! In Middelkerke, I joined my teammate and winner Emiel on the podium of the Belgian championships and now it’s the other way around. This was a fantastic performance from the Belgian team, tactically it was just perfect. My start was pretty good today and I felt that I had something left on the long climb when others had to sit down in the saddle. So I slightly accelerated in the second lap. I immediately had a small gap and started a long time trial to bring my compatriots in a defensive position. Thinking that I will ride with the rainbow jersey for one year is just surreal! »
Emiel Verstrynge:
« I’m very happy to see my teammate Joran Wyseure winning the world title! Last year, I just missed the medals and before I won bronze in the junior category. Even though a second place can lead to a feeling of disappointment, I’m happy to see Joran with the rainbow jersey. He was the only one who dared to attack early and taking this risk was rewarded as the Dutch riders didn’t get along with each other and as he could count on my support behind. We will celebrate the titles of Zoe and Joran well with the delegation of Tormans Cyclo Cross Team! »
Zoe Bäckstedt:
« I have no words to describe the feeling of winning the cyclocross world championships! I was dreaming about it for such a long time! Since one and a half year, my main goals in cyclocross didn’t always bring me luck. One year ago, I was devastated when the junior world championships were cancelled because of the pandemic only a couple of days before the event. I worked so hard to be ready for what should have been my first rainbow battle. And a couple of weeks ago I couldn’t participate to the British championships because of a positive PCR test. This is why I travelled to Fayetteville with an ardent determination. I felt good and I immediately attacked on the first long climb. I knew that it was there that I could make a difference, so I pushed hard on that climb each lap. I had a nice advantage, but I’m nonetheless nicely surprised by this performance! »
On Sunday, Luxembourg rider Marie Schreiber will participate in the Women’s U23 category at 20h (Belgian time). Swiss champion Kevin Kuhn, British champion Thomas Mein and Dtuchman Corné van Kessel will conclude the world championships in the elite race at 21h30 (Belgian time).
Men U23:
1.Joran Wyseure 49:21
2.Emiel Verstrynge +0:13
3.Thibau Nys +0:33
31.Théo Thomas +4:58
Women Juniors:
1.Zoe Bäckstedt 41:16
2.Leonie Bentveldt +0:32
3.Lauren Molengraaf +0:57
