Elinor Backstedt entered the junior women's time trial as the local favorite to represent Great Britain at the 2019 UCI Road World Championships, but a slip at the final roundabout along the 13.7km circuit may have cost her a higher medal She ended up with a bronze medal for the second year in a row.

"On the course recon, the corners were dry, but as you all saw, I almost fell today," Backstedt told the press in the mixed zone after the race. "I thought I could attack the corners on the skis [time trial bars], but it ended up being a little slippery. I braked too late coming off the skis and the rear wheel slipped." [To be honest, I didn't think I could go on. I thought my World Championships were over. But I managed to hold on and I'm happy to get the bronze medal."

Backstedt ran the technical Harrogate circuit with the third fastest time of 22:27, 10 seconds slower than World Champion Aigle Galieva (Russia) and 6 seconds slower than silver medalist Shirin van Unrooy (Netherlands). Galieva also made a serious mistake on the course and missed the final turn.

"I don't know if I contributed to winning the medal. I was 10 seconds behind [the winner] and I don't think I lost 10 seconds. But I don't know. But you never know. Whatever happened, happened."

Throughout Harrogate's time trial, the crowd was shouting her name and cheering for her.

"It feels incredible to be running my home World Championships," said Backstedt, who was the last competitor to start the time trial wearing bib No. 1.

"The crowd was so supportive, and it was just an incredible feeling.

"I was nervous about being the last rider because it was my home World Championships. But once I got on stage, I was more excited. It was amazing. The finishing straight at the end was amazing, and that crowd really pushed me to get the bronze medal today."

Buckstedt has completed two successful years in the junior ranks. She turns 18 in December and is looking forward to starting her career among the elite peloton.

"I learned a lot this year, and in the future I plan to find, improve, and learn my way in the (elite) field," Backstedt said.

Asked if he had signed a professional contract for the 2019 season, Backstedt said with a big smile, "I can't say yet."