Former professional cyclist and Eolo-Kometa team co-owner Alberto Contador, 40, champion of two Tours de France, two Giros d’Italia and three Vueltas a España, crashed hard on Sunday at the China Challenge of La Vuelta amateur gran fondo in Beijing.

Alberto, riding as a guest of honor in the 103 kilometers long event, hit the asphalt when two riders in front of him touched wheels and went down. He had no time to react and crashed to the ground abruptly, suffering numerous cuts to his eyebrow, cheek and lip, as well as a black eye.

First treated on-scene by medics, Alberto was later transported to hospital for stitches and then returned home to Spain on Monday.

Alberto provided an update on social media, “Hi everyone. Today I went down on the Desafío China by La Vuelta. There was a crash in front of me and, as much as I tried to jump over the rider in front of me, it was impossible…Despite the images fortunately it’s not as bad as it looks. Just a few stitches to the eyebrow, cheek, and lip. We’ll keep on going.”

The China Challenge of La Vuelta event attracted nearly 1700 participants, with the majority from Beijing.

Photo Credit: Instagram/Alberto Contador

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