Alberto Contador set to miss Olympic Games after Tour de France withdrawal

The Spaniard says it is is unlikely he'll have gained condition in time to be competitive in the Olympic road race in Rio

Alberto Contador press conference Dauphine 2016
(Image credit: Daniel Gould)

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) has said that he's unlikely to be ready to contest the Olympic Games road race in Rio on August 7 after suffering illness and injury at the Tour de France.

The two-time winner of the Tour was forced to withdraw on stage nine of the race having suffered two falls in the opening two days and then succumbed to illness.

“Regarding the Olympics, it is practically impossible because the question is not whether I have recovered but if I can participate in top condition,” Contador said according to AFP.

“At first glance it looks like that will not be possible.”

At 33, the Rio Games would have likely been the Spaniard's last chance at an Olympic medal, having only competed at one edition of the Olympics in Beijing in 2008 in the road race, and taking fourth place in the individual time trial.

A seven-time Grand Tour winner, Contador is likely to focus on a comeback at the Vuelta a España in late August, with the aim of taking a fourth title in his home race.

After pushing the idea of retirement in late 2015 after this season, Contador looks certain to ride on, with a confirmed deal with Trek-Segafredo imminent.

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Richard Windsor

Follow on Twitter: @richwindy


Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.


An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).