Due to recent regulation changes, junior female cyclo-cross riders are now allowed to compete in the elite races of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup.

The amendment to 5.1.003 allows junior riders to compete in elite races in World Cup events where there is no separate junior race. Where there is a separate race, junior girls may not compete in the elite race.

The UCI World Cup 2021-2022 has 16 rounds, only 5 of which include a separate race for junior riders. This is a decrease from the 2019-2020 series, which had separate races for juniors in seven of the nine rounds.

For junior riders competing in the elite races, there will be no separate results and the World Cup points they earn will not count towards their overall ranking in the junior women's category.

The revised rules also state that they may be part of the two additional slots given to riders under 23 years of age competing in the elite race.

The rule change went into effect before the start of the World Cup, with junior women competing in the opening four elite events.

Canadian twins Ava and Isabella Holmgren competed in the first three rounds in the US, while Zoe Backstedt and Julia Kopecky competed in last weekend's elite event in Sonnhofen.

Backstedt, fresh from being crowned Junior Road Race World Champion, had her best result as a junior rider in this event, finishing in 20th place.

Backstedt also won the junior women's race at the opening round of the Telenet Superprestige in Gieten earlier this month. Juniors are eligible to compete in elite races at all other rounds of the Super Prestige.

The first UCI Cyclocross World Cup Junior race of the season will be held in Tabor on November 14. Junior races will also be held in Namur, Dendermonde, Flamanville, and Hogelheid, with the World Championships in January.