TWO-TIME champion Alberto Contador sensationally quit the Tour de France on Sunday after succumbing to injuries and illness.

    The 33-year-old Spaniard climbed off his bike with just over 100km to ride on Sunday’s ninth stage from Spain to Andorra.

    Contador was injured down his right side after crashing on both of the opening two stages and his Tinkoff team said he was also suffering from illness Sunday morning.

    “I couldn’t continue. This morning I was feverish,” said Contador.

    “After the crash in the first day, I really didn’t feel well and it pushed me to make this decision. I must have medical checks to see what’s wrong to try and recuperate for the rest of the season.”

    Four times during the opening 80km of Sunday’s stage, Contador was seen dropping back from the peloton to speak to his team car.

    It was clear that he was suffering on what was a baking hot day in the Pyrenees with temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius.

    However, what made it surprising for some people was that Contador had actually attacked, alongside fellow Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, on the opening climb of the day.

    “I was quite surprised to hear that Alberto Contador was in his car,” said race leader Chris Froome after the finish.

    “As he had attacked, he obviously wasn’t feeling too bad but I guess he was still suffering from his injuries.”

    Contador was sitting 20th overall at more than three minutes behind at the start of the day.(SD-Agencies)