By Nick Butler

Vincenzo Nibali consolidated his lead in the Tour de France after rival Alberto Contador crashed out ©Getty ImagesVincenzo Nibali has strengthened his grip on the Tour de France yellow jersey with a superb solo victory on a day when one of his biggest rivals, Alberto Contador, became the latest contender to abandon the race following a heavy crash.  


Contador had only been in ninth place at the beginning of stage 10, four minutes and eight seconds behind the leader Tony Gallopin of Lotto-Belisol, yet with many high mountains still to come was very much still a contender.

But following the abandonment of defending champion Chris Froome on stage five after multiple crashes, the two-time champion came off on the Col du Platzerwasel descent midway through the 100.6 mile route from Mulhouse to La Planche des Belles Filles.

Although the Spaniard attempted to continue, he was forced to quit soon after and it was later revealed he had broken his tibia.

With Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, who was retrospectively awarded the 2010 title after Contador failed a drug test for Clenbuterol, having also withdrawn, and 2012 champion Sir Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain not having been selected, a first-time winner is now guaranteed.

And, if he can avoid a similar crash, the stage appears set for 2012 third-place finisher Nibali to secure a maiden Tour de France triumph following an exhilarating performance on the final climb.

Alberto Contador became the latest former champion to abandon the Tour following a heavy crash ©Getty ImagesAlberto Contador became the latest former champion to abandon the Tour following a heavy crash ©Getty Images




The Italian, who won the 2013 Giro d'Italia, initially attacked with around three kilometres to go and after subsequently joining up with breakaway rider Joaquim Rodriguez, he surged again with around 750m to go to secure his second stage win of the race.

Thibaut Pinot was the next man over the line, 15 seconds later for the host nation on Bastille Day, while Spaniard Alejandro Valverde took third place a further five seconds back.

"It was huge work for my team, but it was definitely a big victory for me and I am delighted by it," said Nibali afterwards.

"It has been a really good day."

The result means Nibali now has a 2 min 23sec lead at the top of the general classification over second-placed Australian Richie Porte, who finished 25 seconds behind the Italian on the day in seventh place, with Valverde in third.

The man who led at the beginning of the day, Gallopin of France, dropped to fifth after a difficult stage, and will be among those hoping to take advantage of tomorrow's rest day.

The stage 10 drama does also raise the prospect of a tantalising final Grand Tour of the year, at the Vuelta a España, with Froome, Contador, Schleck and Sir Bradley all possible participants if they recover from their injuries, along with 2014 Giro d'Italia winner Nairo Quintana.

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