Saxo Bank Coach Bjarne Riis: Andy Schleck and Stuart O'Grady Drinking After Dinner Until 5 Am Led to Vuelta Expulsion

Saxo Bank Riders Andy Schleck and Stuart O'Grady Were Taken Out of the Spanish Race Because of "inexcusable" Team Rule Violations Says Coach Riis

Aviva Lee
Aviva Lee, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Sep 7, 2010 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
Danish coach Bjarne Riis pulled Saxo Bank's Andy Schleck and Stuart O'Grady out of the Tour of Spain before today's stage because they drank after dinner and were out until 5 am. Team rules allow riders one glass of wine with dinner but no other alcohol is allowed.

Riis said in an interview after today's stage 10 from Tarragona to Vilanova i la Geltrú in Cycling News:

"They haven't respected the rules of the team," Riis said. "Whether it's one glass or ten, at 5 a.m., it's inexcusable. I've done what I had to do. The rules of the team are the same for everyone. We are professionals and we have to act professionally. I had to take this decision. It's up to them to assume the consequences of what they've done."

"[But] the punishment is enough, it won't go beyond the Vuelta," he said.

Schleck confirmed in a statement that he did go out for a drink after dinner and he is responsible for his actions even though he feels that being withdrawn is a "harsh decision."

Published by Aviva Lee

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