Urška Žigart on the Challenge Tour: This was my toughest day on a bike

Slovenian cyclist Urška Žigart faced one of her toughest days on the bike during the third stage of the Tour de France, finishing 137th with a time gap of 25 minutes and 51 seconds behind Norwegian winner Sigrid Ytterhus Haugset. The 29-year-old rider from AG Insurance, Soudal admitted she was struggling with stomach issues during the demanding race, which saw her battling through the final group to reach the finish line within the time limit. Her performance marked a significant setback in her overall standings, leaving her in 90th place after three stages. The third stage, held in France, proved particularly challenging for Žigart, who described the day as one of the hardest she had encountered on the bicycle. She revealed that she had been dealing with gastrointestinal problems throughout much of the race, forcing her to focus more on simply completing the course than on maintaining competitive pace. Despite these difficulties, Žigart managed to stay in the main peloton for much of the stage before being dropped in the final kilometers. Her team expressed concern over her condition, fearing she might fall further behind the time cut-off. In an interview with her team, Žigart acknowledged the physical toll of the day, calling it “one of the hardest days on the bike.” She praised her teammates for their support, especially those in her final group, who helped her navigate the tough sections of the route. “It’s incredible to see how one helps another,” she said, highlighting the camaraderie among riders facing similar challenges. Žigart’s struggles have left her with little hope of competing for a top position in the general classification, though she remains determined to recover and improve her standing in upcoming stages. Tomorrow, Žigart will face a 21-kilometer individual time trial, an opportunity she hopes will allow her to regain some form and confidence. She has already begun preparing for this challenge, expressing optimism that the relatively shorter distance could provide a chance to recover from her recent illness. “I hope that the mild stomach virus I had yesterday will be gone by tomorrow’s time trial,” she said. “That way, I can ride a bit more calmly.” This latest setback comes after a difficult few weeks for Žigart, including a crash during the Swiss race in June that left her unconscious and with a broken jaw. Despite the injury, she recovered faster than expected and returned to competition just in time for the Tour. Her team has set its sights on securing the yellow jersey with rider Kim Le Court, and Žigart has pledged her support, even if her role in the team’s strategy remains limited due to her current form. Looking ahead, Žigart remains focused on improving her fitness and contributing to the team’s success whenever possible. While her chances of winning the overall title appear slim, she continues to push herself through each stage, hoping to find momentum in the remaining races. For now, the focus is on recovery and preparation for the time trial, where she believes there may yet be an opportunity to turn things around.