Spanish cycling champion Contador to retire after next Vuelta

Cycling - The 104th Tour de France cycling race - The 22.5-km individual time trial Stage 20 from Marseille to Marseille, France - July 22, 2017 - Trek-Segafredo rider Alberto Contador of Spain on the finish line. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish cyclist and double Tour de France champion Alberto Contador said on Monday he would retire after taking part in this year's Vuelta a Espana in his homeland.

"This will be my last race as a professional cyclist," Contador said in a video posted on his Instagram account. "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."

Contador, 34, also won the Vuelta in 2008. This year's edition begins on Aug. 19.

(Reporting by Sarah White; Editing by Catherine Evans)