Schleck and O'Grady sent home from Vuelta
Saxo Bank duo Andy Schleck and Stuart O'Grady have been sent home from the Vuelta a Espana in a disciplinary move by their team manager, Bjarne Riis.
The pair broke one of Saxo Bank's internal rules by consuming alcohol after dinner on Sunday. Following Monday's day of rest, neither O'Grady nor Schleck were present for the start of Stage 10 on Tuesday.
Schleck confirmed his departure when speaking to Cyclingnews. "I acknowledge that I have broken a rule on the team by going out for a drink after dinner and for that reason Bjarne has decided to send myself and Stuart O’Grady home," he said. "I’m responsible for my actions and even though I think it is too harsh a decision, I respect that Bjarne is the boss and he needs to do what he thinks is the best."
Schleck supporting his brother's Vuelta bid
Schleck, 25, finished as runner-up in the last two editions of the Tour de France. He entered this year's Vuelta to support the general classification bid of his older brother Frank.
Frank is currently in 13th place in the general classification, while Andy leaves the Vuelta in 77th place overall. It is worth noting that Andy Schleck also pulled out of last year's Vuelta prematurely, after suffering stomach cramps during the ninth stage of the race.
The Schleck brothers, with Saxo Bank since 2005, have already announced their departure from Riis' Saxo Bank team after this season. The pair is set to join a new Luxembourgian team that is yet to be named.
With three Grand Tour stage wins to his name, Australian O'Grady was hoping to claim a stage in this year's Vuelta after failing to do so during the Tour in July. The sprinter, who has raced with Saxo Bank since 2006, leaves the Vuelta in 157th place overall.
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