Marlen Reusser Battles Illness as She Aims for World Championship Glory

Marlen Reusser, the reigning Swiss time trial champion, is striving for a medal at the upcoming UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda, despite facing multiple health challenges this season. The cyclist has previously secured three medals—two silver and one bronze—at the World Championships but has yet to claim the coveted world title.

Reusser’s recent competitive history has been marred by setbacks. In 2023, she abandoned the race midway due to burnout, and in 2024, a crash followed by a COVID-19 infection kept her from participating. This year, she battled illness during the Giro d’Italia Women and had to withdraw from the Tour de France Femmes after the first stage in July. Nevertheless, she has demonstrated resilience and skill, winning overall titles at both the Vuelta a Burgos and the Tour de Suisse. She also finished as the runner-up in several prestigious events, including Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, La Vuelta Femenina, and the Giro.

Setbacks and Recovery

Despite her strong season, illness once again disrupted her preparations for the World Championships. After recovering from her post-Tour illness, Reusser faced another hurdle when her trainer and partner, Hendrik Werner, contracted a severe case of the flu, which she subsequently caught. “As soon as I started training a little again, Hendrik got a bad case of the flu, which I caught too, even though I hadn’t fully recovered yet. As a result, I spent part of August in bed again,” Reusser explained in an interview with watson. “Obviously, I would have preferred to arrive differently. But even at 95%, I’m still a very fast cyclist. I have no intention of throwing in the towel at all.”

Reusser’s record in the individual time trial is impressive. Over the past five years, she has consistently finished in the top three at every time trial she has completed. As she prepares for the championships in Kigali, she is setting her sights on both the time trial and the road race, although she admits her primary focus is on the time trial.

Historic Championships in Africa

This year’s World Championships mark a significant milestone as it is the first time the event is being held on African soil. Reusser acknowledges the importance of this occasion, stating, “For the people there, for the country, and for the public, the setting and the atmosphere are important. But for me, as an athlete, it’s mostly the practical aspects that matter: the state of the roads, the weather. We’re not here to go sightseeing or take a vacation. Unfortunately.”

Reusser is scheduled to begin her quest for the rainbow jersey at 11:55 on the day of the time trial. Following that event, she will compete in the women’s road race the following weekend. As she prepares for this pivotal moment in her career, her determination remains unwavering despite the challenges she has faced.

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