The results concludes that the injuries to his left leg “affect his pedaling and cause him a strain his quadriceps”, and Contador, who has won two Tours de France, two Giro’ s de Italia and three Vueltas of Spain, was quick to rule out competing at the Olympics.
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He was in 20th position at the end of Saturday’s eighth stage – 3 minutes, 12 seconds behind leader Chris Froome.
Contador crashed in each of the opening stages – damaging his right shoulder, elbow and hip – and had already lost time on the other overall favourites. “The question isn’t whether I am recovered or not, but rather if I could arrive in prime condition”.
It was clear that he was suffering on what was a baking hot day in the Pyrenees with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius.
However, what made it surprising for some people was that Contador had actually attacked, alongside fellow Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, on the opening climb of the day.
Froome said the Tour would be poorer for the Spaniard’s absence.
Alberto Contador is out of the Rio Olympics due to injuries sustained in the Tour de France.
“The change for me is that we won’t have to chase his attacks 100 kilometres before the finish”.
The men’s Olympic road race will be held on August 6, nearly four weeks after he sustained his injuries in two crashes in the first two stages of the Tour.
Truly, however, Contador’s Tour was over before it even started.
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With seven Grand Tour titles, Contador is one of the top riders of his generation.
