Zoe Backstedt, the British champion, believes that women's cycling can become "unstoppable" with comprehensive television coverage for events like the Tour de France Femmes. The 21-year-old Welsh rider made her much-anticipated debut in the recent TdF Femmes, where she supported her team-mate Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney, who secured second place behind champion Demi Vollering.

Backstedt highlighted the excitement surrounding this year’s race, stating, "There was a lot of screaming and shouting about the women's Tour de France this year, and it was incredible to see." However, she emphasized the need for "full coverage line to line," as only three of the nine stages were broadcast live in their entirety. She lamented that key moments often occurred before the coverage began, stating, "Then you can't watch us racing - you can't watch us being our best."

Reflecting on her own performances, Backstedt had a stellar 2026 season, winning British road race and time trial titles, as well as a sprint stage at the Tour de Suisse Femmes. She also retained the 2026 Baloise Ladies Tour title, becoming the youngest winner in its history.

As she prepares for the upcoming 2026 Tour of Britain Women, Backstedt aims to leverage her TdF Femmes experience. Despite finishing fourth in the time trial on stage four, just two seconds behind Vollering, she expressed satisfaction with her efforts:

I gave 120% every day for my team-mates.

In the final stage, Backstedt showcased her strength by pushing the pace, reducing the peloton to just 11 riders. She shared her experience of pushing through fatigue, saying, "I got halfway up and I was like, 'I'm done, I'm done - I can't do it anymore.'" Encouraged by her team's feedback, she persevered, demonstrating her commitment to her team and the sport.

Overall, Backstedt described her week in the TdF Femmes as challenging yet enjoyable, reinforcing her dedication to women's cycling and its bright future.