There were Bastille Day fireworks on the tenth stage of the Tour de France as Alberto Contador abandoned after a crash and Vincenzo Nibali reclaimed the yellow jersey with a tremendous win at La Planche des Belles Filles.
Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali (L) wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey speaks with Austria’s Bernhard Eisel as they ride in the pack during the 194 km sixth stage. Photo: Getty Images
Contador crashed on the 161.5-kilometre stage from Mulhouse and, after struggling on for 20km in an effort to play catch-up, gave up and withdrew to his Tinkoff-Saxo team car.
The Spaniard’s departure deprives the race of another previous winner after 2013 champion Chris Froome (Team Sky) withdrew with fractures to his left wrist and right hand on stage five last Wednesday.
Andy Schleck (Trek Factory Racing), who inherited the 2010 title from Contador following an anti-doping infringement, quit the race with a knee injury last Tuesday, although the Luxembourg rider is a shadow of his former self.
None of the remaining riders have won the event, but Nibali took a significant step in his bid to succeed Froome in Paris on July 27. – The Independent
View the results here.
