The Tour de Suisse Women has its first overall Swiss winner. In an animated and aggressive final stage, Marlen Reusser defended the yellow jersey with confidence. Swiss women dominated the winning tally, taking three of the four special jerseys. In next year’s edition two days of The Tour de Suisse Women will be staged in western Switzerland.
The Tour de Suisse Women has its first Swiss GC Champion. Marlen Reusser was expecting an intense stage and was once again put to the test by the competition in the last fifty kilometres. “Katarzyna Niewiadoma challenged us hard, but I had great support from Demi Vollering. And in the last thirty kilometres I just had to keep my head down and go full gas. I still can’t believe that it actually worked,” said Reusser. With several World Championship medals as well as a silver medal at the Olympic Games to her name Reusser is the current European Time Trial Champion. “This win is right up there with all the other victories. I can’t even say where yet, but it’s really great”.
An Exciting Start Leading into the Final Stage
The situation before the final stage of the Tour de Suisse Women promised an exciting race. Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser (Team SD Worx) was just nine seconds ahead of her teammate Demi Vollering (Team SD Worx) and 18 seconds ahead of Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo). Other riders were hot on their heels as well, with the first thirteen less than three minutes behind. Several riders were looking for an early breakaway soon after the start of the 100.8 kilometre long and hilly course. The group of the day was nine riders strong and had a lead of up to three minutes. It was a volatile race however. Again and again riders dropped back or others broke away from the peloton to challenge the lead.
One on One in the in the Closing Kilometres
The race was initiated by Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon/SRAM Racing) who attacked about 50 kilometres before the finish. She quickly established a lead of over two minutes, taking the virtual yellow jersey from Reusser. Not to be outdone, Reusser responded formidably, reducing the gap to less than 30 seconds and securing the overall victory of the Tour de Suisse Women (3rd place in the stage). The dominance of Team SD Worx in the Tour de Suisse Women was remarkable. Behind Reusser, Demi Vollering finished second overall. Teammate In the duel to the line Niamh Fisher-Black hung on to Niewiadoma’s rear wheel and overtook the Pole in the final sprint. It is the first major win for the young New Zealand cyclist.
Reusser and Chabbey Fly the Swiss Flag High
From Switzerland’s point of view the Tour de Suisse Women was a great success. Marlen Reusser, currently the strongest Swiss rider, won her home tour in a commanding manner. Thanks to her active riding style, she not only secured the stage win in the Time Trial on Sunday, but also the victory in the Points classification. It was an impressive performance also by Elise Chabbey (Canyon/SRAM Racing), who narrowly missed out on a stage win on the first stage, but secured victory in the QOM classification, finishing the race in fifth place overall.
Tour de Suisse Women 2024 to Debut in French-Speaking Switzerland
“It is exciting for us to be able to announce a Host City for the next edition of the Tour while the current Tour de Suisse Women is still in progress,” said Tour Director Olivier Senn on Tuesday morning at the Tour de Suisse Women media conference. Champagne hosted the men’s Tour de Suisse in 2016. Now the women will also have the chance to enjoy the beautiful region around Lake Neuchâtel. On Monday 17th June 2024 the third stage will finish in Champagne and the next day Stage 4 will start from the same location. The driving force behind the local Organising Committee is Roland, renown producer of pretzels amongst other grain-based snacks.
