Backstedt retains Baloise Ladies Tour title

Welsh rider Zoe Backstedt has retained the 2026 Baloise Ladies Tour title a year after becoming the youngest winner of the race.

The 21-year-old's performance included a time trial win on stage 3A on Saturday, and she finished with a provisional overall time of 11 hours, 27.08 minutes.

Only one second overall separated the Netherlands' Nienke Veenhoven - who won the final stage - and Felicity Wilson-Haffenden of Australia. They finished 22 and 23 seconds respectively behind Backstedt.

English competitor Millie Couzens finished fifth behind the Netherlands' Charlotte Kool.