Schleck is poised to leave Saxo Bank at the end of the year

Two-time Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck has been sent home from the Tour of Spain for breaking team rules.

Luxembourg rider Schleck and his Saxo Bank team-mate Stuart O'Grady were withdrawn by team manager Bjarne Riis before Tuesday's 10th stage.

"I acknowledge that I have broken a rule of the team by going out for a drink after dinner," Schleck told Cycling News.

"For that reason Bjarne has decided to send myself and Stuart home."

Schleck added: "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."

Home rider Imanol Erviti of Caisse d'Epargne won the 175.7km 10th stage from Tarragona to Vilanova i la Geltru while compatriot Joaquin Rodriguez took the overall race lead.

The Katusha rider has a two-second lead ahead of overnight leader Igor Anton, while Ireland's Nicolas Roche is in eighth place, one minute and 21 seconds behind.

Schleck had been lying in 77th in the Vuelta, more than 37 minutes behind Anton on Monday, after opting to take part in the race to help his older brother Frank, who is 13th, one minute 49 seconds behind Rodriguez.

606: DEBATE Was Schleck's punishment excessive?

The younger Schleck, 25, held the yellow jersey during this year's Tour de France but, despite two stage wins, ultimately had to settle for second as Alberto Contador secured his third title in Paris.

Schleck, though, earned his third consecutive white jersey as best young rider in Le Tour after finishing only 39 seconds behind the Spaniard.

Contador will replace Andy on the Danish Saxo Bank team when the Schleck siblings leave to join a new Luxembourg-based outfit in 2011.

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