National titles for both Backstedt sisters at National Youth and Junior Track Championships

Elynor and Zoe Backstedt, daughters of 2004 Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt, have together secured a series of national titles at the 2019 National Youth and Junior Track Championships.

Racing at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales, 17-year-old Elynor Backstedt took the junior female 2km individual pursuit title, describing it as “a good leg tester for next week," when she will take part in the UCI Junior Track World Championships.

Younger sister Zoe, 14, twice broke the national record on her way to claiming the girls’ under-16 individual pursuit title.

The two also teamed up to win the junior women’s Madison, with Zoe taking the under-16 Madison alongside Millie Couzens for good measure.

Hyd yn oed mwy o lwyddiant Cymreig ar ddiwrnod 3

Da iawn@Backstedt_Zoe@EBackstedt6@EllaBarnwell2@elkingy9
Adroddiad i ddilyn...

Welsh girls boss the Madison #TrackChamps #YJTN2019@BritishCycling @StoreyRT
- @TowyRider pic.twitter.com/kwsFHannZ5

— Welsh Cycling (@WelshCycling) August 7, 2019

Both Backstedts ride for Storey Racing, the all-female team set up by multiple Paralympic champion Sarah Storey and her husband Barney.

In March, the sisters both won at Gent-Wevelgem with Zoe taking the under-17 race and Elynor clinching the under-19 title.

Another rider who had significant success at the National Youth and Junior Track Championships this week was Alfie George (Discovery Junior CC), who took three titles inside 24 hours.

Success in the Madison with partner Lewis Askey (Backstedt Cycling) on Thursday was followed by victory in the junior male 1km time-trial and in the junior points race the following day.