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Swiss Reusser wins Tour de France Femmes time-trial / Photo: © AFP
Swiss Reusser wins Tour de France Femmes time-trial
Marlen Reusser took the overall lead in the Tour de France Femmes on Tuesday, winning a 21km time-trial between Gevrey-Chambertin and Dijon.
Pre-race favourite and 2023 champion Demi Vollering was just 18 seconds slower in third on the day, and trails Reusser by only 14sec overall.
But defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot is now 2min and 13sec off the pace, while 2024 winner Kasia Niewiadoma is 1min 09sec down.
World time-trial champion Reusser, a qualified doctor, was left lying on the floor and breathing heavily after the finish, while Vollering, the better climber, appeared to have measured her pace.
"It wasn't perfect, perfect, but it was good," said Reusser. "I started well, I did a good climb, but I had a little bit of a problem with my bike and the wind."
Reusser will have to survive Friday's monster climb of Mont Ventoux if she is to take her first Tour de France title.
Wednesday's fifth stage features eight hills and ends in the Beaujolais region.
The race concludes on the Promenade des Anglais in Riviera city Nice on Sunday.
B.Johnson--SFF
