Reusser takes time trial and yellow jersey at Tour de Suisse; title showdown looms

Marlen Reusser of Switzerland seized the yellow jersey at the Tour de Suisse, winning the individual time trial and setting up a decisive final mountain stage. The Movistar rider dominated the 23.7-kilometer course in Aarburg, clocking a time of 29 minutes and 36 seconds, averaging 48 km/h.

Reusser, the reigning world champion in time trialing, confirmed her favorite status with a flawless performance. She finished 11 seconds ahead of 21-year-old British rider Zoe Backstedt, the under-23 world champion, and 54 seconds ahead of France's Loes Adegeest. Elisa Longo Borghini, the previous leader, finished fifth, 1 minute and 4 seconds behind Reusser, handing over the overall lead.

In the general classification, Reusser now leads Longo Borghini by 9 seconds, with France's Cedrine Kerbaol in third place, 1 minute and 20 seconds back. The Swiss and Italian riders are set to battle for the overall victory in Sunday's queen stage, a challenging mountain route concluding in Villars-sur-Ollon. The final stage covers 100.4 kilometers.

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She confirmed the forecast that placed her as the favorite and demonstrated it with an impeccable time trial, signing a time of 29:36 minutes, at an average of 48 km/hour.