Monday 7 August 2017 11:43, UK
Spanish cyclist and double Tour de France champion Alberto Contador will retire after taking part in this year's Vuelta a Espana in his homeland.
The 34-year-old, one of only six riders to have won the Tour de France, Vuelta and Giro d'Italia in their careers, confirmed the news in a video message on Instagram on Monday morning.
"This will be my last race as a professional cyclist," Contador said. "I say this happy, without any sadness.
"It's a decision I have thought over very well and I don't think there is a better farewell than in the race in my country.
"I'm sure they will be three fantastic weeks, enjoying all of your affection, and I can't wait. Greetings and see you on the road from August 19th."
Contador accumulated seven grand tour titles, winning the Spanish Vuelta three times and the Giro d'Italia twice.
He won the Tour de France in 2007 and 2009 and was stripped of a third Tour title in 2010 and banned for two years for doping.
The three-week long Vuelta begins in Nimes, France, on August 19 before finishing on September 10 in Madrid - just a few miles from Contador's birthplace in Pinto.
Contador is a three-time winner of the Vuelta, sealing victories in 2008, 2012 and 2014, while he was also Giro champion in 2008 and 2015.
With his two Tour de France crowns, he is in an elite group of riders to have won all three Grand Tours, the others being Jacques Anquetil, Felice Gimondi, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Vincenzo Nibali.
Contador also finished first in the 2010 Tour de France but was later stripped of that title - plus his 2011 Giro crown - and banned for two years after testing positive for clenbuterol. Contador, who returned to racing in 2012, claimed he failed the test after eating contaminated meat.
Luca Guercilena, general manager of Contador's Trek-Segafredo team, said in a statement following the Spaniard's announcement on Monday morning: "It has been an honour to work with such a great champion.
"It was great to have him in the team, even if it was only for one season, and we will keep giving it our all to help him to achieve a big result in his last Vuelta a Espana and it goes without saying we wish him the very best for his future afterwards!"
