Former champion Vincenzo Nibali was yesterday thrown out of the Vuelta a Espana after being caught holding onto a team car.

The 2010 Champion was seen on television gaining an advantage over rivals by holding onto his Astana team car in the final stages of yesterdays stage to Caminito del Rey.

Nibali started the final Grand Tour of the year as one of the favourites to win the race but his disqualification means Tour de France winner Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde will lead the odds ahead of the Madrid finale on September 13th.