"My fifth silver medal in the time trial..." – Anna van der Breggen forced to settle for 2nd again as magical Marlen Reusser wins Kigali Worlds TT

Anna van der Breggen had to settle for yet another silver medal in the World Championships time trial, as Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser delivered a dominant ride to claim the rainbow jersey in Kigali. For the Dutchwoman, now deep into her comeback season, the runner-up spot carried a mixture of déjà vu and quiet satisfaction.

“It’s my fifth silver medal in the time trial,” Van der Breggen reflected after the finish in a post-race interview with Cycling Pro Net. “Normally you’d say, ‘again silver,’ but I’m really happy with this one. I didn’t expect it at all. The heat, the altitude – it wasn’t a normal pacing plan. I just had to go on feeling and start carefully, and in the end, I was empty but really happy with silver.”

The demanding Rwandan parcours, with its thin air, stifling conditions and long, high-speed descents, made this edition a test like few others. Riders were forced into constant split-second decisions on how to manage their effort – whether to push the pedals downhill or take moments of recovery.

“I always like it when it’s a bit different,” Van der Breggen explained. “You have to adapt from what you’re used to. I gambled by starting conservatively, and in the end that was the right decision. It was a really special time trial – very hard, but that’s why this medal feels beautiful.”

Reusser’s victory ensured she finally claimed the world title that had eluded her in previous seasons, while Van der Breggen, who has previously worn the rainbow bands in the discipline, could only acknowledge the scale of the challenge. “Today was hard,” she said. “You could see it with everyone. That’s why I’m really proud of this medal.”

Van der Breggen’s record in the Worlds TT is now remarkable for its consistency: five silvers, alongside her one golden ride in Imola back in 2020, when she finally stood on the top step of the podium. For the 35-year-old, silver may once again have been her fate, but in the context of a comeback year and a uniquely testing course, it was far from a disappointment.