Elynor Backstedt
Track & Road Cyclist -
Lidl-Trek
Bronze in Junior World Race Champs (ITT), National Junior Champion and GB Junior Academy
DOB: 6th December 2001
Lives & Trains: Pontyclun / Cardiff
Elynor Backstedt was born to be a cyclist inheriting some serious cycle racing genes. Her father, Magnus, won the Paris-Roubaix classic in 2004, in addition to stage wins in the both the Tour de France and Giro D’Italia, whilst her mother, Megan, competed for Wales at the Commonwealth Games – so it’s no surprise she was brought up riding a bike.
Elynor is an impressive cyclist, winning bronze in the Junior World Time Trial Championships in 2018. Building on from this success, Elynor won both the GC at EPZ Omloop van Borsele and U19 Gent-Wevelgem before taking home gold at the National Junior Track Champs in both the madison and individual pursuit, and a silver medal in the World Junior Track Champs in the madison in 2019, along with a silver in the individual pursuit and bronze in the team pursuit. She continued her stellar season winning a bronze medal in the Junior Time Trial at the World Road Champs in Yorkshire, and a 5th place in the road race.
Having been a key member of the GB Junior Academy and Storey Racing, Elynor is now a valued member of the Lidl-Trek (previously Trek-Segafredo) team. Unfortunately a broken leg hampered her 2020 season, but she returned to fitness in 2021 with some great racing as part of the team. Whilst hampered by another injury at the start of 2022, Elynor joined the team to gain some great results and is really enjoying being back on the road with the team in 2023 and being an integral part of impressive team performances.
Off the bike Elynor is a rider known for both her mental and physical strength, not only through gaining priceless insights from her father, but also completing school while riding and training full time. Her motivation is second to none and she certainly has an exciting future in the world of women’s cycling.