“This year’s Worlds time trial cost me seven lives” – Marlen Reusser feels the lasting effects of Kigali success

Marlen Reusser says she is still feeling the physical and emotional toll of her gruelling World Championship triumph in Kigali, describing the time trial that earned her gold as an effort that “cost me seven lives.”

The Swiss powerhouse enjoyed the finest season of her career in 2025, winning the Tour de Suisse, finishing on the podium at both the Giro and the Vuelta, and finally capturing the rainbow jersey in the discipline where she has long been among the best in the world. Speaking to Blick, the 34-year-old reflected on a campaign that was both spectacular and exhausting.

“It was a super cool season,” Reusser said, though she was quick to acknowledge that not everything went to plan. Illness interrupted her year on multiple occasions, sparking reports she felt were unfair. “It was said that I was constantly ill or had chronic problems. That wasn’t true,” she explained. “At the Giro I had a stomach infection, before the Tour de France I ate something bad, and later I caught the flu. These are things that can happen to anyone, but they made it sound like I had an ongoing issue.”

Her world title in Kigali came at a cost, and even for one of the sport’s strongest time triallists, it proved almost overwhelming. “A good time trial means pushing yourself right to the limit,” she said. “It’s a battle with yourself — that’s what makes it special, but it’s not necessarily pleasant. This year’s Worlds time trial cost me seven lives.”

After conquering almost everything in 2025, Reusser admits she now wants to be more selective with her race programme. “I can imagine skipping a time trial at some point. I enjoy the challenge, but I don’t want to do it another 25 times in my life.”

The Olympic Games remain the one major title missing from her glittering palmarès. Having missed Paris 2024 through illness, she would be 37 by the time Los Angeles 2028 arrives — and her participation is uncertain. “Of course it’s in the back of my mind,” she said. “But honestly, I don’t know if I’ll still be racing then. It would be an incredible challenge, but I still need to decide whether I want to take it on.”

For now, Reusser is content to rest and reflect before gradually returning to training in November. “I like to stay active, but I can also switch off easily. I don’t take holidays in the traditional sense, but a few days off the bike do me good,” she said. “I’m motivated, but I also know I won’t be doing this forever.”