On the opening day of the 2025 Tour de Suisse Women, it was Switzerland’s own Marlen Reusser who delivered a masterclass on home soil, conquering a mountainous 95.5-kilometre route that looped from and back to Gstaad. With a performance that combined tactical intelligence, raw power, and immaculate timing, Reusser not only took the stage victory but also pulled on the race leader’s jersey, setting the tone for what could be a dominant week.
The stage wasted no time in sorting out the contenders from the pack. A sharp ascent of the first-category Jaunpass loomed early on, creating immediate tension within the peloton. As the road pitched upwards, the race fragmented. Strong climbers surged ahead, and by the summit, a six-rider breakaway had formed — the first major move of the 2025 edition. Among them was Marlen Reusser (Movistar), flanked by Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ), Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon–SRAM), Niamh Fisher-Black (SD Worx–Protime), Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance–Soudal), and Urška Žigart (Liv–AlUla–Jayco). Each brought serious firepower, and the group looked set to contest the stage among themselves.
However, Reusser had other plans. As the group crested Jaunpass, she seized the moment, attacking just past the summit. Her move was clinical — measured but forceful. Vollering, recognizing the danger, took a few moments before responding with a solo chase. After several kilometres, she bridged across, and the two time trial specialists quickly established an unspoken pact. What followed was a relentless two-woman time trial through the Bernese Oberland, one that would define the stage and potentially the general classification.
The pair worked seamlessly. Reusser and Vollering shared pulls with precision, gaining time through every valley and descent. Behind them, the remaining breakaway riders tried to muster a coordinated chase, but cohesion was lacking. Niewiadoma, ever aggressive, tried repeatedly to rally the group, yet the horsepower of the front duo was simply unmatched. The time gap grew — first to one minute, then to two — and it became clear the stage victory would be contested between the two leaders.
As the kilometres ticked down, the dynamic began to shift. With five kilometres to go, the pace eased slightly, the calm before the tactical storm. Reusser, known more for her time trial prowess than her finishing kick, appeared relaxed, perhaps even calculating. Vollering, with a superior sprint on paper, began to watch closely, riding slightly behind and keeping an eye out for any late attacks.
Then, with just over two kilometres remaining, Reusser tried to force a gap with a low-seated, gritty acceleration. Vollering, ever alert, stuck to her wheel without hesitation. The two entered the final kilometre locked together, nerves tight, legs burning. With 250 metres to go, Vollering made her move — launching a long, powerful sprint, opening a bike length on her rival.
But Reusser hadn’t yet played her final card. She waited half a beat, then unleashed a devastating response. With a perfectly timed surge, she clawed back the gap and surged past Vollering in the final 100 metres. The Swiss crowd roared as Reusser crossed the line first, arms raised, visibly overwhelmed by a win that was as emotional as it was commanding.
Behind them, the chase group arrived nearly two minutes later. Katarzyna Niewiadoma took third place in a reduced sprint, edging out Fisher-Black and Žigart, all of whom had spent most of the day in pursuit. Their effort, though valiant, was ultimately in vain.
For Reusser, this win was more than a strong start — it was a statement. Her victory not only gave her the leader’s jersey but also a significant buffer over some of her closest GC rivals. In a short stage race where time is precious and opportunities are few, today’s effort could prove decisive.
After the stage, Reusser was visibly moved, smiling widely as she addressed the media. “Everything went perfectly. We planned to be aggressive on the Jaunpass, and when the opportunity came, I went. Demi is such a strong rider — it was hard to get away. I think she maybe sprinted a little early, which worked in my favour. I’m just so happy to take this win, especially here in Switzerland.”
Demi Vollering, while disappointed to miss out on the stage win, was gracious in defeat. “Marlen was incredibly strong today,” she said. “I gave it everything in the sprint, but she had the better timing. There’s still a lot of racing ahead.”
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