Zoe Backstedt Wins the 2026 Baloise Ladies Tour

Zoe Backstedt (CANYON//SRAM) has won the overall classification of the 2026 Baloise Ladies Tour, which concluded today with the final circuit stage. The British rider, already wearing the leader's jersey after Thursday's individual time trial, defended her lead with careful race management, securing the final victory with a total time of 11h27'08".The gap to runner-up Nienke Veenhoven (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE) was 22 seconds. Third place went to Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (LIDL - TREK) at 23 seconds, while Charlotte Kool (FENIX-PREMIER TECH) finished fourth at 24 seconds. Fifth was Millie Couzens (FENIX-PREMIER TECH) at 31 seconds.The race, structured over five stages between Belgium and the Netherlands, saw Backstedt dominate the time trial in Geraardsbergen, where she put 18 seconds into Veenhoven and 20 into Wilson-Haffenden. That margin proved decisive in the two subsequent road stages, marked by wind and rain, where the peloton remained compact and no significant changes occurred in the general classification."I knew the time trial would be the key point," Backstedt said at the finish. "I pushed hard, I took my advantage, and then in the bunch I tried to always stay in the front positions to avoid trouble. The girls on the team protected me perfectly."For the 21-year-old Briton, a second-generation rider (her father Magnus was a top-level professional), this marks her first victory in a WorldTour stage race. The result confirms the growth of one of the most promising young riders on the international scene, capable of combining time trial power with tactical intelligence in road racing.The 2026 Baloise Ladies Tour thus confirms itself as an important proving ground for specialists in short stage races, with a constantly rising competitive level. Next year's edition will start from Middelkerke.