Cycling: Contador’s title defence marred by crash

LES HERBIERS: Alberto Contador began the defence of his Tour de France crown in disastrous fashion crashing in the first stage and losing over a minute to key yellow jersey rivals. Saxo Bank ace Contador is defending his title despite risking a ban from the sport when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rules on his positive doping test at last year’s race. Although apparently uninjured, Contador was left fighting to limit the damage before trailing home one minute and 20 seconds behind stage winner Philippe Gilbert of Belgium. “In cycling races are won and lost in seconds,” said Contador. “So losing that much is a gap that will be hard to make up.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2011.