TARRAGONA, Spain, Sept 2, 2009 (AFP) – American Chris Horner has been forced out of the Tour of Spain after sustaining injuries in the mass pile-up which marred the end of Tuesday’s stage, his Astana team said Wednesday.

Another Astana rider, Alexandre Vinokourov, was also caught up in the melee which took down dozens of riders at a roundabout made slippery by the rain, but he will continue according to his team.

Horner has a fracture on his left hand, severe bruising on his right hip and a deep cut on his upper lip. The American, who is known for his climbing skills, had been 20th overall at only 23secs behind race leader Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland.

Vinokourov sustained cuts on his left shoulder in the crash but after having stitches inserted the Kazakh, who has returned to racing recently following a two-year ban for doping at the 2007 Tour de France, will start Thursday’s fifth stage.

Wednesday was the first rest day on the three-week Tour of Spain.