MADRID (AP) β Former Tour de France champion Alberto Contador arrived in Madrid on Tuesday to treat his injured right leg in a bid to race the Spanish Vuelta.
Contador, a two-time winner of cycling’s biggest race, broke his shin in a violent fall on Monday to leave the Tour at the 10th stage.
Contador was still grappling with his early exit, saying “I couldn’t sleep last night thinking this situation wasn’t real but, when I opened my eyes, I could see it was.”
The 31-year-old Spaniard immediately went to a local hospital upon arrival to see a doctor specializing in such injuries.
Contador showed intent but also skepticism that he could heal in time for the Aug. 23 Vuelta, with surgery still a possibility for the Tinkoff-Saxo Bank rider.
