SAINT-GIRONS, France, July 11, 2009 (AFP) – Spaniard Oscar Pereiro, the Tour de France winner in 2006, abandoned the race during the eighth stage from Andorre-la-Vieille to Sain-Girons on Saturday.

Caisse d’Epargne’s Pereiro was the second Spaniard to pull out of the race on the 176.5km stage, the second of three days in the Pyrenees, after compatriot Eduardo Gonzalo (Agritubel).