‘You are almost dead’ without top form – Marlen Reusser first of Tour de France Femmes GC favourites to fall as illness sparks opening stage abandon

In the run into the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Marlen Reusser was unquestionably one of the key favourites after claiming runner-up spots at both the Vuelta Femenina and the Giro d’Italia as well as victory at Tour de Suisse and Vuelta a Burgos.

However, doubts were raised on the eve of the race when she couldn’t shake an illness that had first taken hold at the Giro d’Italia on the eve of the Tour.