Title favourite Nairo Quintana out after crash

Tour de France contender Nairo Quintana suffered a blow as key teammate Alejandro Valverde crashed out of the race during Saturday's opening stage in Dusseldorf.

Valverde, who was third two years ago, came down hard on a slippery bend in miserable wet conditions and was visibly in great pain. His Movistar team announced on Twitter a few minutes later that he could not continue.

"Unfortunately @aljandrovalverde cannot continue in the race. What sadness to finish a Tour on the first day," said Movistar. He wasn't the only rider to crash badly with Frenchman Tony Gallopin also unseated.