Spaniard Oscar Pereiro, the 2006 champion, has pulled out of the Tour de France during the eighth stage.

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Pereiro, who started the day in 38th place 5:38 off the pace, got off his bike about 100 kilometres into the 176.5-km stage from Andorra to St Girons.

Pereiro's Caisse d'Epargne team manger Eusebio Unzue said the Spaniard was simply not feeling good.

"Yesterday he experienced some problems on the climbs," Unzue said shortly after stage eight.

"Today, he just wanted to see if he could do it. But after losing four minutes on the first climb, it was just not possible. He is bad physically and bad psychologically."

Last year, Pereiro had to quit the Tour after breaking his arm in a spectacular crash during the 15th stage to the Italian resort of Prato Nevoso.

Stage 9 LIVE at 11.30am on Sunday 12th July on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe