Team Saxo Bank's Andy Schleck has pulled out of the Tour of Spain, the official race website (www.lavuelta.com) reported on Sunday.

The SaxoBank rider, second overall in the 2009 Tour de France, quit during the mountainous eighth stage from Alzira to the summit finish of Aitana.

Prior to his abandon, Schleck had been 51st overall, three minutes and 10 seconds behind race leader and teammate Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland.

The Luxembourg-born rider finished this year's Tour de France second overall behind Spain's Alberto Contador. The Tour of Spain finishes on Sept. 20 in Madrid.

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