Video: Contador abandons Tour on Andorra mountain stage

Alberto Contador climbs off his bike and into his team car at the Tour de France this afternoon.

By Brian Canty

He came into the Tour de France as a top contender but Albero Contador’s Tour de France is over after he abandoned today’s stage nine from Vielha to Andorra-Arcalis.

The Tinkoff rider has been suffering from the injuries he sustained in last Saturday’s opening day crash and his cause wasn’t helped by a fever he’s also been battling.

And today, in the early stages of the race he pulled over to the side of the road after being dropped by the peloton, gave a wave to the camera which signalled his race was run.

He also gestured to the camera using both hands as if to say he could do no more.

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It’s a huge blow to the race – and to the rider himself, who came into the Tour in great form and extremely motivated to add to the seven Grand Tours he’s already won.

Contador lost over 1’41” on yesterday’s stage to stage winner Chris Froome (Team Sky) and was sitting in 20th position overall, over three minutes behind race leader Froome.

His team announced on twitter that their star rider “has sadly retired from the race after a fever this morning. It was a strong fight from Alberto. More to follow.”