MADRID, June 29, 2010 Spanish rider Oscar Pereiro, the 2006 Tour de France champion, announced Tuesday that he will retire after the Tour of Spain in September.

“People should know when it’s time to call it a day and it’s clear to me that it’s time to close this chapter in my life,” said the 32-year-old.

Pereiro said that he made his decision when he learned he would not be part of the Astana team on the Tour de France which gets underway in Rotterdam on Saturday.

He started his professional career in 2000 with the Porta da Ravessa team, and also competed with Phonak (2003-2005), Caisse d’Epargne (2006-2009) and finally Astana.

The Spaniard’s biggest victory came when he was awarded the 2006 Tour de France after America’s Floyd Landis had his victory in the race overturned due to doping violations.

Article: AFP