In a nerve-racking time trial in St. Gallen, Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser triumphed ahead of teammate Demi Vollering, riumphed ahead of teammate Demi Vollering, The victory also means Marlen Reusser takes the overall lead and wears the Leader Jersey into Stage 3.
On Sunday there were 25.7 kilometres to conquer in the second stage of the Tour de Suisse Women. The long and demanding course with more than 400 metres of altitude, meant that the gap between first and last place was more than 10 minutes.
Anna Kiesenhofer in Powerful Form, Lucinda Brand Unable to Answer
Olympic Champion Anna Kiesenhofer was the first to dominate, setting an early best time on the demanding course, more than a minute clear. Her time was only surpassed towards the end of the race by the season’s top performers Brodie Chapman, Elisa Longo Borghini, Demi Vollering and Marlen Reusser.
Lucinda Brand, winner of last year’s Tour de Suisse Women, had no chance finishing 15th, 2:32 minutes behind Switzerlands Marlen Reusser. Elise Chabbey, who performed strongly yesterday, finished the Time Trial in 12th place.
Down to the Wire for Reusser, Longo Borghini und Vollering
At the first intermediate split it was clear that there would be a tight battle between Marlen Reusser, Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini for the day’s victory. While the Swiss had the lead at the first intermediate split (9 seconds), she lost 3 seconds to the Italian, Longo Borghini, at the second intermediate split. The win was up for grabs right to the last part of the race, 5.5 kilometres before the finish line.
Despite a surge from Demi Vollering, Reusser was the strongest over the last section to claim the victory. With it the Swiss dynamo takes over the GC lead. She will start the third stage on Monday with a 9-second advantage over her teammate.
