The short but intense 2020 cycling season offered numerous highlights from a Swiss perspective. Extraordinary things happened at the Road World Championships in Imola, when the Swiss Cycling delegation won medals in three of the four elite races. Marlen Reusser took silver in the time trial, having already secured bronze at the European Championships in Plouay. Thanks to these successes, the 29-year-old from Hindelbank was voted Swiss Cyclist of the Year.

Marc Hirschi - who could still have competed in the U23 category this year - was the first Swiss rider to win a Tour de France stage since 2012. In Imola, the Bernese rider finished third in the road race, three days later he triumphed in the Ardennes classic Flèche Wallonne. Being voted Cyclist of the Year is the logical consequence of this brilliant result.For organizational reasons, only the winners in the main categories were chosen. As usual, the vote was cast by cycling journalists and cycling fans. The votes of the expert jury and those from the public voting were each weighted 50 percent.Video clip instead of gala evening

Normally, the award winners are honored at the Swiss Cycling Night. As the gala evening has fallen victim to the pandemic this year, the achievements of the winners will be honored in a different form. Swiss Cycling visited Marlen Reusser and Marc Hirschi - by bike, of course. The presentation of the awards and the conversations with the honorees were captured in a video clip, which can be viewed on the Swiss Cycling website.

Lifetime Award for Michael Albasini

Michael Albasini also received a visit. The 40-year-old from Thurgau was presented with the first ever Lifetime Award. Albasini, who has ended his career and is taking a flying leap into national coaching, represented Switzerland at 18 road world championships. He often put himself at the service of his teammates. When he got the chance to ride on his own account, he was able to make regular use of it. As a professional, he won 30 races, including three Tour de Suisse stages and seven sections of the Tour de Romandie.

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