Image source, AP

Saxo-Tinkoff director Bjarne Riis has told Cycling Weekly that Alberto Contador fractured his tibia in today's crash., external

It was a pretty good effort just to get on the bike then.

Tomorrow is a rest day and a chance for the teams to take stock. How will they break Vincenzo Nibali's stranglehold over the race?

We'll be back to see their best efforts on Wednesday.

Britain's 2013 Tour de France champion Chris Froome has tweeted, external about Alberto Contador's withdrawal: Big loss for the TDF today. Recover well @albertocontador and I hope to see you at the Vuelta.

Image source, AFP

"Alberto crashed badly. His right knee is seriously injured. The crash has been violent. I have his shoe with me, it's completely destroyed," said Contador's sports director Philippe Mauduit.

"According to some rumours, his bike has been broken but that's not the case. A bike fell from our racks after we fixed Nicolas Roche's bike. It's obviously too early to establish a diagnostic for Alberto. Once he'll reach the finish, he'll undergo an X-ray examination.

"Before pulling out, he told us he was in awful pain and he couldn't go any further on his bike. It's a pity because everything had gone well since the beginning of the Tour. We had a plan and today's race was unfolding exactly as we wanted," added Mauduit.

"In a fraction of a second, it all fell apart, so we're immensely sad."

As Joaquim Rodriguez collects his polka-dot jersey, it occurs to me that the battle to be King of the Mountains might be the most fierce contest left in the Tour, with Peter Sagan streets ahead in green and Vincenzo Nibali more than two minutes clear in yellow and his main rivals out of the race.

Team Sky's Richie Porte speaking to ITV4: "I think I was the only one to respond to Nibali's attack at the end. He has enough time already so you have to react, but I couldn't stay with him.

"I sincerely say that it is a shame that Contador is out. I hope Alberto is OK. It is going to change the dynamics of the race. It would have been a different finish if Tinkoff-Saxo were there."

Geraint Thomas speaking to ITV4: "Richie Porte looked strong today. He is fighting for the wheel and he is motivated. There is no real pressure on him. He has pressure from past performances at Team Sky but, in the team, we are all happy to ride for him.

"It is never nice seeing riders crash and two of the big favourites are gone. But I guess from a purely selfish point of view it might be good for us."

Yellow Jersey
Classification

Some selected others for you to consider.

7. Tejay van Garderen (BMC) +3'56"

9. Rui Costa (Lampre) +3'58"

10. Bauke Mollema (Belkin) +4'08"

11. Jurgen van den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) +4'18"

13. Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) +4'39"

14. Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) +5'17"

Yellow Jersey
Classification

1. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 42 hours 33 minutes 38 seconds

2. Richie Porte (Team Sky) +2'23"

3. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) +2'47"

4. Romain Bardet (AG2R) +3'01"

5. Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Belisol) +3'12"

Tony Gallopin crosses the line a good few minutes after stage winner Vincenzo Nibali and his tears tell the story.

His time in yellow is over. Will he get to wear it again? If so it probably won't be this year. Nibali is back top of the general classification and it will take some effort to shift him.

6. Tejay van Garderen BMC +0.22

7. Richie Porte Team Sky +0.25

1. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana)

2. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), +0.15

3. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), +0.20

4. JC Peraud (AG2R) same time

5. Romain Bardet (AG2R), +0.22

Thibaut Pinot and Alejandro Valverde were among the next riders home. Team Sky's Richie Porte comes home fifth.

Joaquim Rodriguez limps home just behind.

Image source, AP

Contador gone and the stage bagged. Vincenzo Nibali is the man in charge of the Tour de France after crossing the line first.

Rob Hatch
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

"The riders behind are starting to look at each other and they can't afford to do that."

Joaquim Rodriguez has found a second wind, but Vincenzo Nibali lands a killer punch, withstanding the comeback to race for the finish alone and for yellow.

Joaquim Rodriguez tries to respond but Vincenzo Nibali just coasts past him. The Spaniard is trying to cling to his wheel, but it looks like a losing battle.

Vincenzo Nibali chucks away his water bottle to reduce the weight. He is soaring up the final climb while Joaquim Rodriguez is treading water.

Can Rodriguez stay clear? He has an advantage of 22 seconds to nurse over the final kilometre or so...

Rob Hatch
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

"The Shark of Messina bears his teeth again. Nibali is riding his way back into yellow. This could be one of the key rides of the first part of the Tour de France."

Image source, AFP

Vincenzo Nibali has gone! The Italian whispers to a team-mate and shoots off the front. Richie Porte and Alejandro Valverde try, but can't follow.

He streaks past Michal Kwiatkowski like he isn't there and now has his sights trained on Joaquim Rodriguez.

Rob Hayles
Former Great Britain cyclist on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Climbing is as much about the mental side as the physical. It really can be a psychological battle. It's all about breaking it down into manageable pieces."