Chris Froome
Defending Tour de France champion Chris Froome has withdrawn from this year's race after a pair of crashes during Stage 5. Reuters

The 2014 Tour de France is wide open, as Stage 10 got underway on Monday morning. This year’s event is sure to have a new champion, as another former winner was forced to drop out of the race.

Two-time champion Alberto Contador crashed during Stage 10. He made an attempt at a comeback, riding for 20 kilometers after the crash, but ultimately determined that the injuries he sustained were too much to overcome.

“Tinkoff-Saxo’s team captain Alberto Contador has abandoned Tour de France following a hard crash on stage 10,” read a team statement. “Contador crashed on the descent of Petit Ballon and injured his knee. After receiving medical care and a new bike, Alberto was determined to get back on the bike and quickly continued in an attempt to close the gap to the peloton.”

Contador joins Chris Froome as another former champion who will no longer be able to compete in this year’s race. Froome won the event last year and was considered one of the favorites in 2014. However, a crash in Stage 5 has taken him out of contention.

Tony Gallopin entered Monday’s stage with the yellow jersey, having taken it from Vincenzo Nibal. Nibal had the jersey for seven stages but lost it on Sunday.

"Since the cobblestone stage I have been thinking about the yellow jersey but it was a dream." Gallopin told reporters on Sunday "And dreams and reality are not the same. But now I am so happy.

Heading into the 161.5 kilometer stage, which began in Mulhouse, Gallopin had a one minute and 34 second lead over Nibali. Tiago Machado was in third, at two minutes and 40 seconds behind the leader. Jakob Fuglsang and Richie Porte rounded out the top five.

The race can be seen live on the NBC Sports Network. Viewers can watch a free live stream online with NBC Sports Live Extra. Click here to see live updates of Stage 10.

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