On character and with resilience, Reusser returns with ambition: "Had to put all my thoughts aside"

Marlen Reusser was introduced Wednesday as Movistar's new arrival, and that is well worth a moment's thought. The Swiss 33-year-old was out virtually the entire 2024 season and even considered quitting after announcing she was seriously ill. By stepping out of her comfort zone, she is now managing her physical issues and has the courage to look ahead again.

In conversation with NZZ, she discusses her illness. She struggled with Long Covid for quite some time after her crash in the Tour of Flanders, which included breaking her jaw. She eventually started talking to other athletes challenged by these symptoms, which provided input. "I'm back, bouncing back into life," she says, partly because of the conversations with numerous, often anonymous, COVID recoverers. "That was exciting but also shocking. I would often be heartbroken when I heard the stories."

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Marlen Reusser here as European champion

Reusser did not believe in therapy to get rid of physical complaints

Many small steps to help recover from fatigue syndrome after the coronavirus didn't help Reusser. So, she went into therapy and tried to undergo mental training. "I thought, I'm not physically well; how can something like that help me?" So, the GC rider had to step out of her comfort zone. Among other things, hypnosis sessions and listening to audio files made her mental state calmer.

"I had to put all my thoughts aside," said Reusser, who herself has a medical background. "It would probably be worth doing research in this area." After the sessions, she also began to recover physically. "At first, my heart rate was very high during minor activities, but eventually, I made extremely big steps in my progress," said the Swiss, who does indicate she has no real expectations for next season yet.

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