Marlen Reusser wins again in Switzerland and Eugenia Bujak in Slovenia, sixth national title for the team

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The week dedicated to the National Championships ended with a real triumph for the Alé BTC Ljubljana team, which won two more road titles and two silver medals in the road races in Switzerland, Slovenia and Italy. By the way, as already happened yesterday to the Spanish Mavi Garcia, these are two more double titles with time trial and road.

Let’s start with Switzerland, where Marlen Reusser outdid herself by winning with head, heart and legs. She went on the attack in the last 30 kilometres and crossed the finish line 2:08 ahead of the favourite Elise Chabbey. Indeed, the highly technical course with a final climb was more suited to the characteristics of the Canyon SRAM rider. And so Marlen - led by team manager Fortunato Lacquaniti - adopted an aggressive tactic and tried and found the winning attack from far away. After winning the time trial title, Reusser celebrated the red-crusade jersey in the road race as well, scoring a splendid double win, which is also significant for her in terms of the Olympics.

However, she paid tribute to her main opponent Marlen Reusser: “I’m very happy to be back in the Swiss champion’s jersey after I was unable to defend it in 2020 because I was in quarantine. Elise Chabbey was in great condition today, I gave it my all and it’s great to win and compete against such a strong opponent and friend like her. Today I managed to win and this will allow me to defend the colours of Switzerland also at the Olympics on which I will now focus all my attention. I want to thank the whole Alé BTC Ljubljana team, my family and friends for the support they have given me”.

In Slovenia, as had already happened in the time trial a few days ago, Eugenia Bujak won again and teammate Ursa Pintar came second in the Road Race National Championship. In this case, too, a double win for the girls directed by sports director Gorazd Penko. Results that certify the full recovery of the two Slovenian girls, who also find the morale after the last difficult months.

Eugenia Bujak says: “I’m very happy to win both jersey’s! I’m coming back to my form and from the week to week I’m feel stronger. The race was with men junior so it makes harder but felt good today I was racing with confidence. Now looking forward to wear champion jersey next week in France”.

Lots of applause also for Tatiana Guderzo who, after the bronze medal in the time trial, today in Castellana Grotte (Bari) won the silver medal in the Italian Road National Championships, winning the sprint of the chasing group, arrived behind the Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini. Even for the experienced athlete Vicenza a great test of heart and tenacity.

The Russian Anastasiia Chursina also came fifth in the road race of her National Championships.

Team manager Fortunato Lacquaniti takes stock after this extraordinary week: “We are very satisfied and happy with the performance of our girls. Six titles, three road-time trial doubles, three silver medals and one bronze, two fifth places with the Chursina in Russia are very important results that can only make us satisfied. Let’s say that after two very complicated months, between covid and injuries we always raced with only 4-5 athletes, we have taken back our place. The team is now back in its rightful place in the world ranking and I hope that these results will give us a boost of confidence for the next races”.

Lacquaniti adds: “In Slovenia Bujak and Pintar have been good to confirm themselves. Reusser’s victory today in Switzerland was not at all predictable, on the contrary, the course was definitely in favour of Chabbey. We decided to change tactics and attack from afar and we were rewarded. The second place of Tatiana Guderzo at the Italian Championships is a result of great quality and is testimony to her will and she has also shown a good condition by beating in a sprint two strong opponents such as Sanguineti and Bertizzolo. I would also like to dedicate a thought to Mavi Garcia, in addition to the two titles won in Spain, yesterday, during the road race, she made a great gesture of loyalty, professionalism and class. Her opponent fell eight kilometres from the finish and she stopped to wait for her. An uncommon gesture in a National Championship. With this enthusiasm we look forward to the second half of the season”.

Summary of titles and medals:

Marlen Reusser - National time trial champion (Switzerland)

Eugenia Bujak - National time trial champion (Slovenia)

Mavi Garcia - National time trial champion (Spain)

Mavi Garcia - National road champion (Spain)

Marlen Reusser - National road champion (Switzerland)

Eugenia Bujak - National road champion (Slovenia)

Ursa Pinta - silver medal National time trial championship (Slovenia)

Ursa Pinta - silver medal National road championship (Slovenia)

Tatiana Guderzo - silver medal National road championship (Italy)

Tatiana Guderzo - bronze medal National time trial championship (Italy)​

(ph. Swiss Cycling)