Before the start of Stage 8 of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes, Marlen Reusser is feeling strong. She has come to this year’s Tour with the primary goal of helping her SD Worx team leader Demi Vollering win the yellow jersey. One day ago, on Stage 7, Reusser played the role of diesel locomotive, hauling Vollering towards solo stage leader Katarzyna Niewiadoma and helping to slingshot her onto the steep pitches of the Col du Tourmalet. Vollering then passed Niewiadoma in the fog to win the stage and establish a virtually insurmountable 1min 58sec lead in the general classification. Barring a crash or meltdown during the Stage 8 time-trial, it seems inevitable that SD Worx will leave the Tour with the yellow jersey. Reusser, a time-trial specialist, now has a chance to pursue individual glory.
But despite being one of the favourites to win the stage, she isn’t filled with anticipation. She certainly isn’t worried; she is familiar with the roads here, having surveyed the course in the late spring. She also rode a lap earlier this morning and knows she isn’t hindered by any nagging pains. And yet the countdown towards her start time feels ominous. Two hours… one hour… ten minutes. She is struggling to find the passion that usually empowers her to compete. She would like to stop the countdown if she could.
‘As soon as the countdown is done and we are at zero it’s about meeting your inner self and having a
