Even though Tinkoff-Saxo manager still held some hope that Russian team’s leader Alberto Contador would be able to line-up at the start of the Vuelta a Espana, his agent confirmed yesterday that it wouldn’t be possibile to recover on time as he still hasn’t resumed his trainings.

Contador crashed heavily on a high-speed bumpy descent during the tenth stage of the Tour de France and even though his fractured tibia didn’t require a surgical intervention, inflammation of injured leg significantly prolonged his recovery process and eventually ruled out the Tinkoff-Saxo leader from participating in his home grand tour event.

The 31-year old Spaniard used social media last week to inform that he wouldn’t be able to participate at the Vuelta, but Tinkoff-Saxo manager Bjarne Riis quickly turned down this information, suggesting that it was due to Contador’s pessimistic attitude and the decision was yet to be made.

Apparently Riis indeed believed that despite some delay in Tinkoff-Saxo leader’s recovery he still would be able to participate in season’s ultimate grand tour as he kept Contador on Russian squad’s long list for the event, but all his hopes were shattered today by Jacinto Vidarte, Spanish rider’s press officer.

“There is no change between yesterday and today: there is no possibility that Alberto can ride the Vuelta,” Vidarte said.

“You name fifteen riders in the pre-selection and, of course, Alberto was supposed to be in the team before his injury so that’s why his name is there now,” Vidarte explained.

“He is doing a little riding on the trainer but only with his good leg,” Vidarte said. “There is still pain in his right leg, so while he is doing something, he is not training.”

While his participation in the star-studded Vuelta a Espana has been definitely ruled out, it is yet to be seen whether the 31-year old Spaniard would be able to return to racing this season. Vidarte claims that Italian one-day races held in Autumn are considered, but everything would depend on a progress of Contador’s recovery.

“We don’t know yet when he’ll be back. We have no plans, but the Vuelta is discarded,” Vidarte said. “We don’t know where he can compete. Maybe in some of the Italian races before the end of the season but it’s too early to say right now.”