Tour de Suisse winner: the secret behind Reusser’s success

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Marlen Reusser (31) used to be laughed at. Not by everyone, no. But there were those who did not think that the Bern native could have a career in the professional field. Why? Maybe because she’s a woman. Perhaps also because she is a trained doctor. But mainly because she only took the road to top sport at the age of 27. At least now Reusser is no longer underestimated. After two European championship titles, plus World Championships and Olympic silver, she wins the Tour de Suisse. “A dream come true,” she says.

When asked about her whining from earlier, Reusser has to smile. Even before her professional career she showed that she could do a lot, but not everyone noticed. In fact, Reusser became Swiss time trial champion in 2017 without training much for it. Insiders knew what was inside her. They knew: Reusser is a diesel.

The exception in the peloton

A diesel? This is what strong cyclists are called who can constantly push a high wattage for a long period of time. Like Stefan Küng (29) for men or Reusser for women. The diesel does not really suit the cheerful character of Hindelbank BE. Reusser was once the president of the canton’s Young Greens.

She is often asked how she manages to generate so much power on the bike. Talent and dedication obviously play an important role. But: she is also convinced that her nutrition is crucial. “I try to eat as healthy as possible,” she says. Reusser is a vegetarian. And so an exception in the peloton – in her SD Worx team there is no other rider among the other 14 who eats meatless. “The number could be greater. Many would be vegetarian at heart, but fear they would miss out without meat.”

Reusser has a degree in sports nutrition and knows the subject. She is not afraid of undersupply because she does not eat meat. «That’s no problem at all, I’m happy to help others if they ask me to. At the same time, no ideology wants to be there – everyone can eat as they want.”

280 sows in the barn-shaped Reusser

What is special is that Reusser grew up on a farm where there were also animals for slaughter. For example 280 pigs. Despite this, she became a vegetarian when she was a child. “According to the guidelines, we produced at a high level, but that was not enough for me.” The barn right next to the large residential building has given shape to this. “There were so many sows crammed into pens that they went crazy. They started eating a sow’s curly tail. That hit me hard as a girl.”

Reusser never wanted meat again. Thanks to cheese, legumes and other foods, she feels in great shape – and has a clear conscience. “The combination of products is also important. The best combination for the body is potatoes and eggs – a Spanish tortilla, there is nothing better.”

Source : Blick