Marlen Reusser responds to Demi Vollering’s warning after Tour de France Femmes showdown

The Tour de France Femmes is gradually beginning to take shape. Wednesday’s stage showed that three riders currently appear to have the edge when the road rises: Demi Vollering, Kasia Niewiadoma and Marlen Reusser.

Reusser is the rider wearing the yellow jersey and therefore remains in pole position in the general classification. After the stage, the Swiss Movistar leader sat down for the customary post-race flash interview and was immediately asked about a pointed comment from Vollering.

Reusser had to dig deep to stay with Vollering and Niewiadoma on Mont Brouilly, but she managed to hold their wheels. Other major contenders, including Elisa Longo Borghini and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, were unable to do the same and consequently lost time in the Tour de France Femmes general classification.

“It was a hard day, as expected, but it went well. I really didn’t feel bad,” Reusser said, offering a measured assessment of her performance. “And it was genuinely a pleasure. Once again, there were so many people along the road. I heard a lot of encouragement, and that really helps.” The Swiss rider was careful not to draw sweeping conclusions from a stage held in the medium mountains. The Tour’s biggest climbing test is still to come on Mont Ventoux.

“We have to say that the climbs in today’s finale are very different from Mont Ventoux,” Reusser explained. “So I can’t say whether the balance of power will remain the same, but it looks as though the three of us are in a good position. We’ll see what happens.”

Stage winner Demi Vollering completed her flash interview before Reusser, and the Dutchwoman introduced a hint of psychological warfare when discussing the fight for the yellow jersey. “The only advantage I have is that I have already won the Tour, just like Kasia,” Vollering said. “Marlen has never won it, so she will also have to work hard for it.”

Naturally, the interviewer gave Reusser an immediate opportunity to respond. “Demi just told us that Kasia has already won the Tour and that she has as well. If Marlen wants to win too, she will have to fight. Are you ready for the big battle?” Reusser was asked. The yellow jersey remained diplomatic and declined to be drawn into a war of words.

Naturally, the flash interviewer on duty wanted a response to that. “Demi just told us that Kasia has already won the Tour once, and so has she. If Marlen wants to win too, she’ll have to fight for it. Are you ready for the big battle?” she asked Reusser, who responded diplomatically. “Well, I hope so! I’m going to give it a shot. So… yes! I’m in good shape, and I’m looking forward to the coming days.” “Well, I hope so,” she replied. “I’m going to try. So… yes! My form is good, and I’m looking forward to the next few days.”

“It is amazing to experience this and a huge honour to race in this jersey,” the Movistar leader continued. “To race in the yellow jersey on a day that perhaps didn’t suit me best on paper…” “I’m very happy with how it went. I’m not completely satisfied with my finish, but I am happy with the stage as a whole. We’ll see what comes next.”