2021 Ethias Cross Essen was a mud pit loaded up with sharp turns that put the rider’s abilities on display.
Zoe Bäckstedt dominated the race. She created a strong lead lap one and kept it throughout the whole race.
Laura Verdonschot and Anna Kay battled it out for second place. Verdonschot broke off from Kay and stretched the gap out to claim second with Kay coming in third.
Laura Verdonschot in the mud pit as Anna Kay chases. 2021 Ethias Cross Essen, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
See full results and the photo gallery below.
2021 Ethias Cross Results: Elite Women
| # | Rider | Age* | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BACKSTEDT Zoe | 17 | 50:51:00 | |
| 2 | VERDONSCHOT Laura | 25 | PAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL | 1:04 |
| 3 | KAY Anna | 22 | STARCASINO CX TEAM | 1:36 |
| 4 | BASTIAENSSEN Fauve | 24 | BNS TECHNICS - GROEP T.O.M. | 2:25 |
| 5 | DOBBELAERE Jana | 25 | STARCASINO CX TEAM | 3:21 |
| 6 | TRUYEN Marthe | 22 | IKO - CRELAN | 3:53 |
| 7 | DE WILDE Julie | 19 | IKO - CRELAN | 4:12 |
| 8 | VAN LOY Ellen | 41 | 4:18 | |
| 9 | KAPTHEIJNS Maud | 27 | CX TEAM DESCHACHT - GROUP HENS - MAES CONTAINERS | 5:15 |
| 10 | KNAVEN Mirre | 17 | 5:27 | |
| 11 | DEFOUR Lara | 24 | 6:23 | |
| 12 | DE BRUYNE Meg | 25 | 6:35 | |
| 13 | MAES Shana | 26 | TORMANS - CIRCUS CYCLO CROSS TEAM | 7:08 |
| 14 | MEISTROK Susanne | 22 | PROXIMUS - ALPHAMOTORHOMES - DOLTCINI CT | 7:28 |
| 15 | SELS Loes | 36 | PROXIMUS - ALPHAMOTORHOMES - DOLTCINI CT | 7:35 |
| 16 | MOLENGRAAF Lauren | 16 | 8:16 | |
| 17 | KUIJPER Elodie | 21 | ' | |
| 18 | VAN DE STEENE Kim | 35 | 8:49 | |
| 19 | BREUGELMANS Rosanne | 23 | BNS TECHNICS - GROEP T.O.M. | 9:01 |
| 20 | GREENHALGH Laura | 36 | VELOREVOLUTION WP CYCLES | 9:04 |
| 21 | VERVLOET Sterre | 18 | 9:05 | |
| 22 | VAN ELSACKER Floor | 18 | 9:38 | |
| 23 | COMMISSARIS Caren | 27 | ||
| 24 | VERDONCK Christine | 36 | ||
| 25 | CASSIERS Cato | 21 | STARCASINO CX TEAM | |
| 26 | KNAVEN Senne | 18 | ||
| 27 | SCHOKKAERT Febe | 22 | ||
| 28 | BAELE Lotte | 18 | ||
| 29 | OFFEREIN Iris | 18 | ||
| 30 | VERMEIREN Tinne | 26 | ||
| 31 | DHONT Kiona | 18 | ||
| 32 | VOS Marlies | 20 | ||
| 33 | ROMBOUTS Tine | 21 | ||
| 34 | SCHEVENELS Lies'l | 18 | ||
| 35 | REIJNHOUT Rosita | 17 | ||
| 36 | SCHÄTTI Michelle | 22 | ||
| 37 | VAN DER BURG Esther | 23 | PROXIMUS - ALPHAMOTORHOMES - DOLTCINI CT | |
| 38 | GOOSSENS Marthe | 19 | ||
| 39 | PIETERSE Isa | 21 | ||
| 40 | MASURE Fien | 18 | ||
| 41 | MARIEN An-Sofie | 17 | ||
| 42 | ZWAENEPOEL Tessa | 20 | PROXIMUS - ALPHAMOTORHOMES - DOLTCINI CT | |
| 43 | DE VOS Nele | 23 | ||
| 44 | BEECKMANS Sara | 22 | ||
| 45 | HENDRICKX Sterre | 16 | ||
| 46 | DE VRIES Didi | 24 | ||
| 47 | VAN ESPELO Danique | 18 | ||
| 48 | SAS Lore | 16 | ||
| 49 | VAN OS Indy | 18 | ||
| 50 | VAN WEERELD Lieke | 20 | ||
| 51 | VAN DE KERKHOF Marie | 17 | ||
| 52 | KUIJPERS Anoek | 19 | ||
| 53 | VERSCHUEREN Jolisa | 22 | ||
| DNF | VAN DER VEKEN Jana | 16 | ||
| DNF | VAN WATERSCHOOT Famke | 20 | ||
| DNF | VINKE Nienke | 17 | ||
| DNF | SCHREIBER Marie | 18 | TORMANS - CIRCUS CYCLO CROSS TEAM |
2021 Ethias Cross Photo Gallery: Elite Women
Zoe Bäckstedt as she crosses the finish line. 2021 Ethias Cross Essen, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
