Race Report: Merry Byrne at the Tour des Stations Superfondo

Verbier, Switzerland • 186km • 7,000m+ elevation

Coach’s Introduction

Merry and I have worked together across multiple seasons, initially with a focus on triathlon. However, it wasn’t until Merry made the decision to step away from triathlon and focus purely on cycling that her true potential really started to show.

Since making that switch, Merry has become a regular feature on the top step of the podium at events around the world and consistently produces world-class climbing power numbers. In 2025, the goal was clear: lean fully into that strength and target some of the hardest and most demanding climbing events on the calendar.

The Tour des Stations Superfondo — 186km with over 7,000m of elevation in the Swiss Alps — was a perfect fit. What follows is Merry’s race report in her own words: a detailed, honest account of preparation, execution, and lessons learned from one of the toughest cycling events in the world.

Merry’s Race Report

Pre-Race Logistics

Travel & Accommodation

I stayed in an Airbnb around a 30-minute drive from the start. Accommodation in Verbier itself can be tricky and needs to be booked months in advance. There is campervan parking right next to the start line, but races begin from around 2am, so sleep can be limited.

If you have a car (or can rent one), staying within a 30-minute radius opens up far more options. Swiss trains are excellent, and the cable car up to Verbier — which is free with race entry — makes logistics easy. I chose to rent a car for flexibility, though I probably left booking accommodation a little late.

Tip: If you can plan far enough ahead, staying in Verbier is ideal as that’s where the finish line is. I did that the year before and it worked really well.

Registration & Pre-Race Experience

Registration was very smooth — Swiss efficiency at its best. Pre-race communication is translated from French, so it’s not always crystal clear for English speakers, but everything you need is there.

The atmosphere was calm and positive. With multiple race distances and a wide range of abilities, I didn’t experience any sketchy riding or aggressive tactics — which matters on fast Alpine descents.

Training, Preparation & Mindset

I felt quite well prepared going into the race. Key sessions included torque-focused work for steep gradients, multiple 8-hour rides to practise fuelling, and other long races earlier in the season lasting 6–8 hours.

Race morning was simple: coffee and oats, leaving the Airbnb around 4am, a quick bike check, and ready to go at 5am. Mentally, I focused on the fact that this is a 10-hour race — one climb at a time.

The Race Experience

Early Kilometres

I started conservatively, as I usually do in long mountain races. With a course this long and demanding, early aggression almost always comes back to bite.

Other women pushed hard early, but I trusted patience. Around 80km in, I began picking off competitors. One strong female rider stayed on my wheel for about 20km, but I eventually took some steep sections hard and dropped her — which made the final quarter of the race less pleasant. Lesson learned.

Mid-Race

Mid-race, I made a tactical decision to push above target on a few steep ramps and short descents to ensure I was riding solo. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t necessary, but it removed the stress of having someone on my wheel for the next few hours.

Final Climbs

The second-to-last climb — Thyon 2000 — was my lowest point. I felt nauseous and needed to take a short pause at an aid station before continuing. A long descent helped settle things, and by the final climb my legs came back.

Despite feeling empty, I was able to push again in the final kilometre. As the Superfondo intersects with shorter races near the end, riding through slower cohorts gave a welcome psychological lift.

Nutrition Mishap

One unexpected issue came from nutrition. I drank a bottle thinking it was electrolytes when it was actually carbs, then added gels on top — pushing intake to around 110g/hour, which is higher than what my system is used to. That likely explains the nausea, but I was lucky it passed.

Finish

Crossing the finish line felt great. The views from the Col de la Croix de Coeur are incredible — special moments looking across the valley. After a long descent back to the village came podium formalities and drug testing — less magical, but part of the process.

Post-Race Reflection

I felt strong throughout and could tell I was the strongest female climber when comparing efforts. The main lessons were patience when others are on your wheel and being extra vigilant with nutrition.

Ratings (1–10)

Would I Recommend This Race?

Yes. If you want to ride some of the most iconic Swiss climbs without the overwhelming crowds of events like Étape du Tour, this race is outstanding.