Elisa Longo Borghini, athlete of UAE Team ADQ and recent winner of the Giro d'Italia Women, is forced to abandon the Le Tour de France Femmes. This morning she will not be at the start of the third stage, La Gacilly – Angers (163.3 km), due to a gastrointestinal infection that has affected her in recent days.

Since the first stage, last Saturday, Elisa has shown the first symptoms, gritting her teeth and trying to resist despite limited energy. Unfortunately, the situation has worsened in recent hours and, in agreement with the team's medical staff, they have reluctantly reached the decision to stop.

The Italian champion will now observe a period of rest and recovery, to then refocus with determination on the objectives of the second part of the season.

Elisa Longo Borghini explained: "After winning the Giro d'Italia Women, I was feeling very well and had arrived determined to do something good in this Tour. Unfortunately, suddenly I started to experience the symptoms of this virus that has drained my strength day after day. I am tremendously sad and sorry to have to once again prematurely interrupt the Tour de France Femmes, but at this moment it was the best decision to make".