Female cyclist Elisa Longo Borghini withdraws from Tour de France Femmes prior to stage 3 competition
Elisa Longo Borghini, the reigning Giro d'Italia champion, has withdrawn from the Tour de France Femmes due to a gastrointestinal infection. The Italian cyclist, who had been among the favourites for overall victory, made the decision to leave the race this morning after experiencing symptoms since the first stage.
Longo Borghini had a successful run before the Tour, winning the Italian National Championships and then the Giro d'Italia in July. However, her condition worsened over the weekend, forcing her to abandon the race.
This is not the first time Longo Borghini has faced difficulties in the Tour de France Femmes. In 2023, she did not finish the race due to an infection, and in 2024, she had to eliminate herself following a crash that left her unable to walk for several days.
Despite these setbacks, Longo Borghini has had great success at the Giro d’Italia Women, winning the maglia rosa (overall leader’s pink jersey) two years in a row, including a successful defense of her 2025 title just weeks before the Tour.
Longo Borghini's team will allow her to rest, recover, and prepare for the final races of the season. Meanwhile, Movistar's Marlen Reusser has also withdrawn from the Tour de France Femmes due to stomach issues, days before Longo Borghini's announcement.
With Longo Borghini and Reusser out of the race, the general classification in the Tour de France Femmes is now wide open. Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) are tied at the top, each having shown strong performances so far.
Longo Borghini's withdrawal is a blow to the race, but her team and fans remain optimistic about her recovery and future performances. With her strong form demonstrated at the Giro, she is expected to continue her season focusing on other races.
Sports take an unexpected turn as Elisa Longo Borghini, a prominent figure in cycling, withdraws from the Tour de France Femmes due to a gastrointestinal infection. Despite her past triumphs, such as winning the Giro d'Italia Women consecutively in 2025 and 2026, this illness prevents her from competing in the ongoing race.
