Struggles on Col de la Madeleine lead to Chloé Dygert's withdrawal from the Tour de France Femmes prior to the final stage, as she reported intense leg pain.
Chloe Dygert Withdraws from Tour de France Femmes Due to Persistent Leg Issues
American cyclist Chloe Dygert has been forced to abandon the Tour de France Femmes after a grueling battle with severe pain in her left leg, ongoing illness, and stomach issues.
Dygert, who rides for the Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto team, has been struggling with leg problems since a horrific crash in the time trial at the 2020 World Championships in Imola. The accident resulted in a deep laceration to her leg, damaging her quadriceps muscle, and requiring multiple surgeries.
Despite her ongoing battles with intense pain and poor blood flow in her left leg, which sometimes reaches a pain level of 11 out of 10 and causes spasms especially in cold or wet conditions, Dygert has continued to compete.
During the 2025 Tour de France Femmes, Dygert sustained another severe laceration to her left leg in a crash atop the Col de la Madeleine. Determined to make the time cut, she pushed through the pain, managing to do so by just seven seconds. However, the long and steep ascent of the Col de la Madeleine aggravated her leg pain, causing her to suffer all the way up the climb and break down in tears at the summit.
In an interview, Dygert stated that she has to stop racing when her leg pain crosses a certain line, and that she can't risk further damage to her leg during the rest of the season. She expressed her contentment with her decision to abandon the race due to her leg issues, but admitted that she feels bad about having to do so.
Despite not finishing the race, Dygert was able to contribute to her team's efforts, working in service of her team's leader, Kasia Niewiadoma.
Dygert's leg problems are not new, as she has a history of pulling out of races due to her leg problems. Last year, she also abandoned the Tour de France on the final stage due to pain in her leg.
The Tour de France Femmes coverage is available on Cyclingnews.
Despite the setbacks, Dygert came to the Tour de France Femmes with the mindset of getting good training and being a good teammate. She will now focus on her recovery and rehabilitation, with the hope of returning to competition in the near future.
- Chloe Dygert's sudden withdrawal from the Tour de France Femmes highlights the complex intersection between science and medical-conditions, as chronic diseases like her leg issues can impact even a highly-skilled athlete's participation in sports, necessitating health-and-wellness considerations above sporting achievements.
- The ongoing leg problems faced by Chloe Dygert, a professional cyclist, underscore the challenges that sports competitors can face in managing medical conditions, prompting them to prioritize their health and wellness over competition, even if it means missing significant events in the sports world.
