Noemi Rüegg
Hometown
Schöfflisdorf, Switzerland
Date of birth
19 April 2001
Languages
German, English, and French
Nicknames
None
Swiss road race champion Noemi Rüegg is still discovering her strength in the sport. Last year was a breakout season for her, as she won her first professional race, the Trofeo Felanitx-Colònia de Sant Jordi, on the squad’s first-ever day of racing. She then backed up that win with another at the Swiss national championships. She went to the Paris Olympics and finished seventh in the road race, before racing the Tour and mixing it up in the sprints.
Noemi is a punchy rider who can get over hard climbs. She is still trying to find out where her limits lie.
She came to bike racing through her family. At first, her goal was simply to keep up with her brother who is five years older than her. Their dad was involved with a local cycling club and Noemi slowly grew more and more curious. When she was 13, she finished her first cyclocross race and was hooked.
She turned professional on the road as a 19-year-old, leaving her full-time job caring for disabled people in a home. She is a two-time Under-23 Swiss time trial national champion but her heart belongs to the classics. Noemi loves a tough course, the more chaotic, the better. She is not afraid to be aggressive in the peloton and loves the excitement and energy of a hectic race.
Her ultimate goals are to podium in one of the classics and to develop as a stage racer. This year could be hers.
Questions & Answers
What is your favorite climb? What makes it special?
The Albula Pass in Switzerland. It’s a 30 kilometer climb in the most beautiful part of Switzerland. It's just beautiful because you can climb so long with a nice view. I did it many times with my dad and always had the best time riding up there together.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
To be able to pack and unpack my suitcase in less than five minutes. This would save me a lot of nerves and time ;)
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
Honestly I think I would stay in Switzerland. There is no place like home and I just love the variety of nature Switzerland has to offer.
If you had to cook dinner for the team, what would be on the menu?
Homemade burger with sourdough buns and air fried sweet potato fries.
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after being away at a race?
Turn on my coffee machine and enjoy a nice cappuccino.