Reusser wins time trial to take tour lead

Reusser races into yellow

The time trial world champion, 34, completed the course in 27 minutes and 30 seconds.

Reusser finished the day with a 14-second lead over Demi Vollering, who was third in the trial, and beat Lieke Nooijen’s target by four seconds, BBC Sport reported.

Britain’s Zoe Backstedt, 21 and a junior world champion in the discipline, was 20 seconds back in fourth on her debut tour.

Overnight leader Sigrid Haugset of Norway slipped to fourth overall after struggling in temperatures above 30C, while defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot lost two minutes and 14 seconds to the flying Swiss rider.

“Of course, I’m super, super happy,” Reusser said. “This was the idea that we had since a long time – my goal of the year.”

France has offered no shortage of sporting talking points this year: on the football side, fans are still debating why Michael Olise chose to represent France. On the road, Reusser will now look to defend her lead as the race rolls on.