Alberto Contador lost months of preparation in a split second when he crashed on the descent from the Petit Ballon and had to abandon the Tour de France. His Tinkoff-Saxo team has confirmed that he suffered a fractured tibia and says that it is too early to say whether he will do the Vuelta.

Tinkoff-Saxo’s team captain Alberto Contador has abandoned Tour de Francefollowing a hard crash on stage 10. Contador crashed on the descent of Petit Ballon, while positioned in the peloton. Team Manager Bjarne Riis explains:
 
“Alberto crashed on a fast and straight part of the descent. He was reaching for his pocket and the bike was swept away under him probably because of a bump or hole in the road. Alberto was in the shape of his life and the entire team had our eyes fixed on the podium in Paris and the work we would have to do to get there”.
 
Following the crash Alberto received a new bike and medical treatment to stop the bleeding from his knee.
 
“After the crash, Alberto got back on the bike and we tried for about 18 kilometers to keep him in the race. Despite his best efforts and an impressive show of willpower, he had to abandon the race”, says Bjarne Riis after the stage.
 
The captain of Tinkoff-Saxo was brought to the finish line in a team car and underwent medical examinations with x-rays being taken of the areas affected.
 
“Alberto has broken his tibia just below the knee. It’s not a complicated fracture but it probably requires surgery. He will stay with us tonight and tomorrow he will travel back to Madrid to undergo further examinations and a surgery if necessary”, adds Bjarne Riis.
 
Alberto Contador’s exit is a tragic event also taken the many months of preparation into consideration together with the work that the team has done leading up to and during this year’s Tour de France.
 
“We will naturally have to look ahead. But right now it’s to early to say anything about the possibility of Alberto riding Vuelta a Espana. It depends on his recovery and on how fast he can get back on the bike and start training again”, concludes Bjarne Riis.