Swiss cyclist Marlen Reusser, who previously lost a season due to long Covid, triumphantly returned to form by winning the opening time trial of the women’s Giro in Bergamo on Sunday.
The 33-year-old powered through the flat 14.2-kilometre course in 17 minutes and 22 seconds, finishing 12 seconds ahead of last year’s runner-up, Lotte Kopecky of Belgium. Italian defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini was an additional four seconds behind.
Reusser’s Battle with Long Covid
Reusser’s victory marks a significant comeback after a challenging 2024 season. She revealed her struggle with long COVID, which began with a two-week illness that progressively worsened.
“In August, I was diagnosed with long COVID. I couldn’t believe it and struggled to accept it,” Reusser stated on the Giro website, expressing her fear about chronic illness.
Despite this, she has shown strong form this year, finishing second in the Spanish Vuelta in May and winning two smaller stage races.
The women’s Giro will continue on Monday with the first of three mountain stages: a 92 km ride through the Alps from Clusone to Aprica.
The “queen” stage, featuring the Apennines, is scheduled for Saturday, with the eight-day race concluding in Imola the following day.
