Exhausted Freire leaves Vuelta

Oscar Freire (Rabobank) talks to Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) after the finish line.

Oscar Freire (Rabobank) talks to Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) after the finish line. (Image credit: Sirotti)

Rabobank's Oscar Freire was one ten riders to abandon the Vuelta a España on Saturday, in a second successive day of attrition in the mountains. Despite Rabobank's initial surprise at Freire's early exit, team Press Officer Luuc Eisenga told Cyclingnews on Sunday that exhaustion was the reason for the Spaniard's decision, which came just two weeks before the World Championship road race.