Photos: ZVG/Getty Images

After a long solo flight, Steffi Häberlin was caught by Marlen Reusser shortly before the finish at the Swiss Championships at the end of June, but managed to shake her off again in the last kilometer and defend her title from the previous year. The 28-year-old from Thurgau was active as a mountain biker from 2020 to 2024, before drawing attention to herself with strong performances at the Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse in the national team jersey and receiving a professional contract with the Dutch team SD Worx.

Swiss Champion

This title means a lot to me because I wasn't the favorite at the starting line with Marlen Reusser. She really wanted this championship jersey to start the Tour de France in Switzerland with it on August 1st. But I had the same idea (laughs).

Goals 2026

My goals for 2026 are the road race at the World Championships in Canada at the end of September, which takes place on a course that suits us Swiss women very well, and the road race at the European Championships in Slovenia at the beginning of October.

Training Routine 

I talk to my coach every Monday and receive a plan that I then implement independently. Normally, I'm on the bike from 9 a.m. Then follows eating and regeneration. I clock around 20 hours a week, up to 26 hours in intensive weeks, and 10 to 15 hours in rest weeks.
Once a week, I do a running workout and one to two times a week, strength training with a barbell and core strength training are on the program. I always have to overcome myself for this, even though I am aware of how important it is.

Favorite Training

3 x 15 minutes at the FTP threshold, preferably uphill.

Training Partners

I usually do the intensive sessions alone. However, for the extensive ones, I regularly train with others. When I'm in the Black Forest with my boyfriend, it's mountain bikers, and at home in the canton of Thurgau, sometimes ambitious hobby riders.

Coach

At SD Worx, I'm lucky to have my own coach. The team just wants insights into its practices. With the German Tobias Blum, who is stationed not far from the Swiss border, which is a great advantage for me, I can simultaneously benefit from his knowledge in bike fitting and athletic training. He supports me in various areas. Besides his expertise, I particularly appreciate the communication with him. This is an important prerequisite for me to make it work.

Pulse, Watt, Feeling

I complete all my sessions based on watt specifications, but I check with the pulse to see if everything matches. If, for example, the pulse only rises slowly or is too high, I discuss it with the coach.

Mountain Biking

From 2020 to 2024, I raced in the professional circuit. It was a beautiful and educational time. I particularly liked being out in nature and off the roads. I also enjoyed the additional technical challenge, although this was always my handicap. This is now eliminated in road races. Moreover, mountain biking is an individual sport, while road racing is a team sport. This helps me as I feel less pressure. If things don't go so well for me personally, I can help my colleagues and have a satisfying feeling afterward.

Heat Training

Heat training is very popular because it has the same effects as altitude training but is free and can be done at home. Additionally, you get used to the heat. I tried it once and failed miserably. After that, I said I would never do it again. I prefer to train well and do what I really enjoy. I am convinced that it benefits me more to ride outside in the heat for four hours with joy than to ride for only three hours and then sweat for another hour on the trainer in thermal clothing.

Three Tips for Hobby Riders

• 1.

  Consistency is important. Better two times two hours than once five hours. 

• 2.

  Eat well during and after training.

• 3.

  The right position on the bike. It makes it more fun and prevents injuries.

Falls

Road cycling is extremely dangerous, and you often can't control it yourself. To have a bit more control, I like to be the first to go into a descent. I am aware of the dangers. But you mustn't think about it, otherwise, you'll fall for sure.
Meanwhile, I am more aware of the dangers even in training. I always ride with a rear light, fortunately with bright clothes from my employer, and avoid the main traffic whenever possible.

Medicine

Parallel to my career as a professional cyclist, I am studying medicine. This is a big challenge that I didn't consciously choose. Rather, I slipped into this situation after two years of study when the dream of a career as a professional cyclist came true. To balance both, I have spread the fifth year of medical studies over three years. From September to December, I am a bit more at the university, and from spring a bit less. Now only one year is missing, and I am glad when I can fully concentrate on sports after the final exams. Because in the long run, one or the other suffers.

My Strength 

I am good at planning, even if it sometimes doesn't work out (laughs). And in races, I have the ability to recover very quickly after attacks.

My Weakness 

Time trialing. Because I have spent too little time on the time trial bike so far, I find it difficult to maintain the aero position for the entire duration of the effort. Moreover, it's easier for me to push to the limit in a woman-against-woman battle than all alone.

Key to Success

To be successful, you have to stay consistent and shouldn't give up too quickly.

Insider Tip

Do what you love to do, preferably together with others, and treat yourself to something now and then when you reach a certain goal. Admittedly, it can sometimes be quite tough, for example, when it's particularly cold or raining. But if you have a long-term goal, everything makes sense.

We thank Steffi Häberlin for the exciting insights. More information about Steffi Häberlin can be found here.