Shirin van Anrooij will not start stage 4 of the Giro d’Italia Women after Lidl-Trek confirmed that the Dutch rider is unwell.
The update removes one of Lidl-Trek’s key support riders from the race before the 12.7km uphill time trial from Belluno to Nevegal, a stage expected to create the first clear general classification gaps of this year’s Giro.
Van Anrooij does not start stage 4
Lidl-Trek confirmed the news ahead of stage 4, wishing Van Anrooij well in her recovery.
“Unfortunately Shirin van Anrooij is unwell and won’t start stage four of the Giro d’Italia Women,” the team said.
Van Anrooij had completed the opening three stages of the race, finishing 65th on stage 1, 128th on stage 2 and 131st on stage 3. Her withdrawal now leaves Lidl-Trek a rider down as the Giro moves from its opening road stages into a more decisive phase.
No further medical detail has been provided, so the immediate focus is on recovery rather than any return timeline.
Blow for Lidl-Trek before Nevegal time trial
The timing is awkward for Lidl-Trek. Stage 4 is the Belluno to Nevegal uphill time trial, a short but difficult test that should begin to separate the strongest climbers and general classification riders.
Van Anrooij was not necessarily expected to be the team’s primary GC rider at this Giro, but her value comes through versatility. She can climb, position teammates, work across rolling terrain and remain useful deep into selective stages. Losing that kind of rider before the race turns harder reduces Lidl-Trek’s flexibility.
The team still has Elisa Balsamo in the maglia rosa after the revised stage 1 result and her stage 2 win, but the balance of the race now begins to shift. The early sprint focus gives way to a time trial that will favour riders with climbing strength and pacing discipline, and Van Anrooij’s absence removes one more card from Lidl-Trek’s hand.
Recovery now the priority
Van Anrooij’s Giro ends earlier than planned, and Lidl-Trek will continue without one of its strongest all-round riders.
The Dutch rider has already shown in previous seasons that she can be valuable across very different race situations, from Classics-style racing to hilly stage races. That made her a useful presence in a Giro where the route gradually becomes more demanding after the flatter opening stages.
For now, though, the sporting impact sits behind the health concern. Van Anrooij will step away from the race to recover, while Lidl-Trek reset for stage 4 and the first major GC test of the week.
