Schleck booted out Vuelta

Tarragona - Team Saxo Bank rider Andy Schleck says he has been removed from the Spanish Vuelta because he and team-mate Stuart O'Grady drank alcohol.

Schleck says he broke a team rule "by going out for a drink" and says he is "responsible for my actions."

The Luxembourg rider told Cyclingnews.com on Tuesday that the Danish team's boss Bjarne Riis decided to remove the pair.

Schleck said the decision was "too harsh."

Denmark's TV2 said neither Schleck nor O'Grady was at the start of the 10th stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Tuesday in Tarragona.

Riis was not available for comment.