Dominant Reusser seals Tour de Suisse Women with stage 4 victory

Marlen Reusser (Movistar) delivered an exceptional performance on the fourth and final stage of the Tour de Suisse Women to defend her yellow jersey and win the general classification. Going into the final stage, the Swiss star had a three-second lead over Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez), having won the opening stage which cemented the fact that the general classification battle would be fought between the duo. On a tough final stage in Küssnacht, which featured two ascents of the Michaelskreuzstrasse climb, Reusser knew that she would have a tough job on her hands to defend the yellow jersey. 

However, the Swiss star proved that she was both the strongest and smartest rider on the day as she launched an attack with 9.5 kilometres remaining, distancing Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto) and soloed to victory in Küssnacht. Niewiadoma finished 2nd on the stage, outsprinting Vollering 28 seconds behind Reusser, whilst in the general classification, the duo’s positions were the other way round. In the end, Reusser won the GC by 36 seconds over Vollering, and 1:56 over Niewiadoma in 3rd.

‘I thought, I’ll give it a try. I mean, I was also actually confident for the sprint, but that I could do it like this is for sure nicer and maybe safer, and I’m super happy that it went like this," Reusser said after the stage, speaking about her attack.

For the second time in her career, Reusser won the general classification at her home stage race, having been victorious in 2023. It also illustrates the stunning form of the Swiss star, who finished 2nd at the Vuelta España Femenina, then claimed victory at the Vuelta a Burgos Feminas ahead of her success in Switzerland.

The two stage wins and overall victory here are a promising sign as Reusser prepares for the Giro d’Italia Women and a likely rematch with Vollering at the Tour de France Femmes in July. It’s fair to say the Spanish team made a smart move signing the Swiss star, who continues to perform like one of the world’s best riders, and the team has big ambitions for the upcoming Giro d'Italia Women, where Reusser is set to aim for more glory.

“The ambitions were already high before this race. It’s a race [Giro] that really suits me, starting with a time-trial and three really difficult climbing stages at the end. So we’ve targeted it for a while. The whole team is preparing for the Giro, and we would really like to go for the win," Reusser said, speaking about the upcoming Giro d'Italia Women.

Loes Adegeest (FDJ-Suez), Julia Borgström (AG Insurance-Soudal Team), and Fariba Hashimi (CERATIZIT Pro Cycling Team) formed a strong breakaway, but the trio were eventually caught. There was a flurry of attacks following the catch of the trio, but for a while, nobody was able to establish a significant gap for a while until Henrietta Christie (EF Education-Oatly) forged clear of the peloton. Christie was eventually joined by Borgström, who had already been up the road, and Steffi Häberlin (SD Worx-Protime).

On the final ascent of the Adligenswilerstrasse, there was an attack from Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal Team) who aimed to close in on the front trio and take the mountains points at the summit. Gigante was second at the start of the day in the mountains classification behind Marta Lach (SD Worx-Protime) by a solitary point. On the first ascent of the Adligenswilerstrasse at the start of the stage, Lach took three points, whilst Gigante took two, extending the gap between them by a further point. The front trio were caught just before the bottom of the final climb, meaning that the GC contenders

The decisive action was set for the slopes of the Michaelskreuzstrasse (3.9km at 9%), with the riders already having the opportunity to ride the climb earlier in the stage. Reusser launched the pace from the bottom of the climb, looking to set a strong enough tempo to deter any attacks. Very quickly, a small group of no more than 10 riders found themselves at the front of the race, as Reusser stayed in control at the front.

Under the relentless pace of the yellow jersey, the group dwindled down to four riders: Reusser, Vollering, Niewiadoma, and Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek). Towards the top, the group grew in size as the pace-setting from Reusser dissipated. One of the riders who managed to get back on was Gigante, who had the opportunity to gain the points needed to win the mountains classification at the summit. Unfortunately for Gigante, the Australian was unable to follow when Niewiadoma attacked, with only Reusser, Vollering and Fisher-Black able to follow.

Attacks were flying on the descent, with Reusser and Vollering watching each other closely. Niewiadoma looked to capitalise on the situation as she attacked with 11 kilometres remaining, and the duo behind hesitated. It was Vollering who blinked first and tried to close the gap, as Reusser played it cool, letting her rival do the chasing. This proved to be the smartest move of the day as with 9.5 kilometres remaining, Reusser launched a powerful attack off the wheel of Vollering, quickly passing Niewiadoma and cruising away to the stage win and general classification glory. 

Reusser crossed the line in Küssnacht victorious, taking her second stage win and second general classification victory at the Tour de Suisse. Vollering and Niewiadoma rounded out the podium, whilst Reusser also claimed the points classification, whilst Marta Lach won the mountains classification, and Marion Bunel (Visma | Lease a Bike) won the youth classification.