Marlen Reusser retained her world time trial title on her 35th birthday after solving a pacing dilemma that lasted until shortly before her start.
The Swiss rider covered the 39.2-kilometre course in 50:24.44 to secure a second straight rainbow jersey. Zoe Bäckstedt finished second, 40.11 seconds down, while Franziska Koch took third at 45.54.
Reusser said the unusually long distance created uncertainty throughout the week. Women’s races rarely feature time trials of that length, and she felt more accustomed to efforts around 20 kilometres.
She described major discussions with her team and performance coaches over the best pacing strategy. Even one hour before the start, she said she was still not fully certain how hard to ride.
World time trial pacing tested Reusser
The early splits suggested Bäckstedt had started faster. Reusser trailed by 10 seconds at the first checkpoint and remained 2.78 seconds down at the second.
Reusser had requested no time gaps during the race. She expected Bäckstedt could be ahead because the opening section included technical corners.
That part of the course did not suit her perfectly. Reusser admitted some corners remained difficult for her, even on a route she otherwise enjoyed.
Instead of chasing split times, she rode by feel and focused on the rider ahead. Demi Vollering had started before her and lost 34 seconds to Bäckstedt at the first checkpoint.
Reusser eventually caught Vollering, but she did not treat that as decisive information. She said passing Vollering offered some focus, yet the course made that reference imperfect.
As a result, Reusser reached the finish still unsure of the outcome. Only after stopping did she know she had overturned the early deficit.
The course appealed to her because it demanded more than steady power. Its technical elements made the race more interesting, but they also complicated every pacing decision.
Reusser said she looked forward to those challenges while also feeling nervous about them. The key question remained how fast she could ride without fading late.
Another rainbow jersey on her birthday
The victory added to Reusser’s growing championship record. She won her first individual world title in Kigali last year after previous podium finishes in the discipline.
Before that breakthrough, she had placed second in 2020 and 2021 and third in 2022. She also owns two mixed relay world titles.
Asked about defending the title, Reusser pushed back against the idea that pressure defined the ride. She said she tells herself there is no pressure.
For Reusser, each championship remains a new challenge, regardless of previous results. She noted that many riders arrive with the same ambition to win.
She also pointed to the work done by staff and supporters around each athlete. That effort can create pressure, but she framed racing as a sporting fight.
Sometimes, she said, riders lose after giving everything. On other days, they win, as she did again here.
The timing gave the result extra meaning. Reusser celebrated the win on her 35th birthday, calling it a good present.
It was not the first time she claimed a major title on that date. Several years earlier, she also won the European championship on her birthday.
Reusser said she already had something to celebrate, whatever the result. The rainbow jersey turned that birthday into another defining day in her time trial career.
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