Lorena Wiebes has abandoned the Tour de France Femme Avec Zwift due to a sudden illness.

Her SD Worx team confirmed Wiebes' withdrawal an hour before the start of stage 5 from Hone-le-Chateau to Albi, where she was a strong contender for her second sprint victory.

"Lorena Wiebes is leaving @LeTourFemmes due to illness. She is suffering from a stomach problem and as a result will not be able to start at Hone-le-Château," coach Danny Stam said in a team announcement released on social media.

"This is, of course, a sporting loss for Team SD Walks.

Wiebes had won the third stage to Montignac-Lascaux and was in second place behind teammate Lotte Kopecky on the first stage when the Belgian attacked to win alone.

Wiebes is the current European champion and has won nine races so far in 2023 after moving from Team DSM to SD Worx.

The loss of Wiebes has dramatically changed the sprint situation in the race, leaving SD Worx with only six riders as Demi Vollaring takes on Annemiek van Vleuten for the win in the Tour de Française.

Vives was the favorite for consecutive sprint finishes in stages 5 and 6 of the Tour de France Femme, but her departure left former teammate Charlotte Courre as the favorite for consecutive sprint victories.