Elisa Longo Borghini is ready to depart Lidl-Trek on the finish of the season after six years on the American group, in keeping with a report in La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Italian champion’s contract is because of run out on the finish of 2024 and he or she received’t be renewing, together with her switching to a brand new group simply one among a major variety of upcoming main transfers in ladies’s biking.
Workforce supervisor Luca Guercilena confirmed the information to the Italian newspaper whereas admitting that Lidl-Trek tried to maintain her on their roster.
“Elisa Longo Borghini has made the choice to depart the group on the finish of the season, regardless of our want to increase her contract with Lidl-Trek. That is a part of the sport,” mentioned Guercilena.
“Collectively we achieved nice outcomes, because of the help that the group and her teammates gave her. Lidl-Trek will proceed to try to stay a reference group for girls’s biking, engaged on scouting younger cyclists, supporting nice champions and growing the tradition of equity in sport.
“We want Longo Borghini all the most effective for the approaching seasons.”
As one of many high all-around riders on the earth, Longo Borghini’s skills in each the Classics and Grand Excursions will make her one of the vital coveted riders out of contract for 2025 and trying to find a brand new group.
Removed from the one star to alter squads in 2024, others embrace defending Tour de France Femmes winner Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime), who’s closely linked to FDJ-Suez after not extending with the Dutch tremendous group.
Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM), Juliette Labous (DSM-Firmenich PostNL) and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) are amongst different well-known riders with their contracts as a result of expire and but to have their group confirmed for 2025.
Longo Borghini will depart Lidl-Trek after an unbelievable comeback season from harm and sickness in 2024, bouncing again with the win on the Tour of Flanders and podium finishes at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, La Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Strade Bianche.
The 32-year-old’s time at Lidl-Trek noticed her take 23 wins at a few of the largest races throughout a really profitable interval.
Younger Italian expertise Gaia Realini would possible take over the group’s GC ambitions at Grand Excursions after her compatriot’s departure, whereas Shirin van Anrooij would be the focus of their cobbled Classics marketing campaign. They’re signed on till 2027 and 2026 respectively, highlighting the group’s deal with their younger stars.
Longo Borghini’s schedule for the approaching weeks ought to see her compete on the Tour de Suisse, the revamped Giro d’Italia Girls and the Tour de France Femmes.
