Alberto Contador has pulled out of the Tour de France after crashing badly on the 10th stage.
The Spaniard’s withdrawal was the second major abandonment of the 101st edition of the Grand Boucle, following that of reigning champion Chris Froome last Wednesday.
Despite indications that he would continue the race, he was unable to continue.
The two-time winner crashed on a pass between the Petit Ballon climb and the Col du Platzerwasel, needing lengthy medical attention to patch up his knee before getting going again.
The 31-year-old Spaniard also needed to change bikes and a shoe before restarting while he received further attention from his team car as he continued the race.
delbeato
Roar Guru
Hard man. This is what people should remember before dismissing him as a cheat. Doping - as insidious as it is - doesn't mean the rider escapes the blood, sweat and tears. He must have been in serious pain, but also knew that a year's training and possible never-to-be-repeated form was on the line - so he carried on. That's desire, hunger in its most raw form. Modern day gladiators..
delbeato
Roar Guru
Yes, of course he can win. On form, he looks like he's battling for second - with Nibali a level above. But Nibali could easily falter - a fall, illness, hunger flat..
Albo
Guest
Suspected broken tibia ( shin bone) ! Got back on the bike and did another 20 km up the mountain, but found he couldn't heal it !!!!
magila cutty
Guest
Gotta say that i have zero sympathy for Contodor. Imv he should be chucked out of the sport and be stricken from the record. He has been busted cheating and lost one tour as a consequence but there are good reasons to go further. When he attacked Andy Shleck who was having a "mechanical" his true colours were on display. He was/is prepared to break long standing conventions and as it turned out drug rules too. I have no doubt that all of his "victories" are similarly tainted, even if he wasn't caught. He took a steroid which shows clear intent to cheat. Were this horse racing he'd have a life world wide ban. In short "whatever it takes" is his creed and this attitude should be stamped out. For cycling to recover and for these practices to cease a tough stand should be taken.
Freddy from Bondi
Guest
Thanks mate. It sounds as if a podium finish is a more realistic aim...but anything can happen and still a long way to go!
Bones506
Roar Guru
Porte is a better Time trialler but at present Nibali is a better GC rider - Porte has had issues with consistency in GC's - but that is b/c he is the guy that winds in the screws on the climb before they unleash Froome - he expends a massive amount of energy. I think he is biding his time. He will need to start trying to crack Nibali in the high mountains - not an easy task.
Yogi
Guest
thanks Dan.
DanMan
Guest
He fell coming down the mountain; they said he slid around 80m and his left knee was bleeding badly. They didn't catch the crash on camera. It's a pity becasue from the looks of Nibali, there isn't any one to match him and the tours looks won already. Shame on Movistar for not bringing Quintana; Valverde has lost time on both mountain top finishes already, I doubt very much the same would have happened to Quintana, although he has the Giro next to his name now. Porte looked ok last night but seemed to lose time on the last very steep section. He is the best TT of the top guys but already has signifiicant gap to make up, so very unlikely the will beat Nibali unless he falls too.
Yogi
Guest
What actually happened to him? Very unusual to have a serious crash on an uphill section. The SBS commentators said something about a bike coming off the roof of a car?
Freddy from Bondi
Guest
For all of you in the know, is there any chance at all that Richie Porte can win this thing?? Is he a better time-trialler than Niboli? What other chances does he have to make up time? Now the World Cup is over, time to get stuck in the le tour I think!
kippa
Guest
Tour de france steven bradbury style.
kippa
Guest
Tour de france steven bradbury style.