Racing competitor Elisa Longo Borghini withdraws from the Tour de France Femmes during the third stage
Elisa Longo Borghini Withdraws from Tour de France Femmes Due to Gastrointestinal Infection
Elisa Longo Borghini, the reigning Giro d'Italia champion, has withdrawn from the 2025 Tour de France Femmes. The Italian rider, who won the UAE Tour in February 2023, made the decision to abandon the race after her gastrointestinal infection worsened following the first two stages.
Longo Borghini's participation in the Tour de France Femmes was not focused on the general classification but rather on supporting her teammates or chasing stage wins. However, her illness took a toll, with the rider finishing 39th and 50th on the first two stages, losing significant time on climbs and unable to compete for stage results.
The gastrointestinal infection is an exception rather than a pattern for Longo Borghini, who is known for her consistency as a top-level rider with many successes in stage races and classics. This is her first reported withdrawal from the Tour de France Femmes.
Marlen Reusser, a fellow favourite for overall victory, also withdrew from the race. Reusser abandoned the race on the first stage due to stomach issues.
Despite the setback, Longo Borghini remains optimistic about her upcoming races. She is likely to target the World Championships in Rwanda in September 2025, which is a major goal on her calendar after her recovery. The 2025 women's race calendar also includes important late-season events such as the Simac Ladies Tour, Maryland Cycling Classic Women, and various one-day races in September and October that she could potentially attend.
Longo Borghini will take time to rest, recover, and prepare for these final races of the season. Her teammate, Elisa Balsamo, also had to leave the race in 2023 due to fatigue.
Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) currently wears the yellow jersey in the Tour de France Femmes, with Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) tied at the top of the general classification. The Tour de France Femmes continues without two of its favourites for overall victory.
References:
- Cyclingnews
- Cycling Weekly
- ProCyclingStats
- Velonews
- CyclingTips
Sports fans may be disappointed to learn that Elisa Longo Borghini, a top-level rider known for her consistency, has withdrawn from the 2025 Tour de France Femmes due to a gastrointestinal infection. Despite this setback, Longo Borghini remains optimistic about her upcoming races, particularly the World Championships in Rwanda in September 2025.
