Riis boots pair for drinking alcohol
Bjarne Riis has removed Andy Schleck and Stuart O'Grady from the Vuelta a Espana after the pair violated team rules by drinking alcohol after dinner.
Andy Schleck confirmed the news to Cyclingnews, releasing a statement while on his way home:
"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.
"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.
"I was getting back into shape and I would really have liked to stay at the Vuelta and help Frank and the rest of Team Saxo Bank."
Neither Andy Schleck nor O'Grady was at the start of the tenth stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Tuesday in Tarragona.
UPDATED Andy Schleck, O'Grady Removed From Vuelta | Cyclingnews.com
Maybe he didn't want a Floyd Landis-esque "I had a few whiskeys and now I'm testing positive for steroids..." situation cropping up.