Marlen Reusser reveals battle with long COVID: “For now the focus is on my health”

Swiss cyclist Marlen Reusser, one of the top riders in the women’s peloton, is currently battling a prolonged illness after contracting COVID-19. The 33-year-old, who rides for UCI Women’s World Team SD Worx–Protime, suffers from long COVID, which has severely impacted her ability to train and race.

Reusser, a two-time stage winner at the Tour de France Femmes (2022 and 2023), has been unable to compete this season due to the effects of the illness. In an interview with Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF), she opened up about her struggle, saying, “I am currently chronically ill. There are times when things get better, but there are also times when things get worse. I am not feeling well at the moment. I don't know if I am afraid, but I am aware of the fact that there are people who will not get better.”

Long COVID is a condition where symptoms of COVID-19 persist for weeks or even months after the initial infection. It can affect multiple organ systems and can leave athletes dealing with fatigue, shortness of breath, and cardiovascular issues, all of which greatly impair their ability to perform at a high level. For professional cyclists like Reusser, whose physical condition is essential to competing, long COVID is especially devastating as it leaves them unable to maintain the rigorous training and racing schedule required to stay competitive.

Reusser emphasized the toll the illness has taken on her career, leaving her sidelined from racing entirely. “It just takes a lot of patience. For now, the focus is on my health. I have to fully recover first. The important thing is that I feel healthy again soon,” she added.

The illness has caused her to miss several key events in 2024, including the Olympic Games, the Tour de France Femmes, and the UCI Road World Championships in her home country of Switzerland. Despite these setbacks, Reusser remains focused on recovery and is hopeful that she can return to racing once her health improves.

Reusser’s absence has been felt across the women’s peloton, as she has consistently been one of the top time trialists and stage race riders in recent years. Her situation highlights the broader challenges that long COVID presents for athletes, and her return to the sport will depend entirely on her recovery.

For now, the cycling world will have to wait patiently for Reusser’s return as she prioritizes her health over competition.