Tom Dumoulin abandoned the Vuelta a España and left the race before the start of stage 8, the Alto de Moncalvillo.

Jumbo Visma, who lost 11 minutes on Tuesday's stage and finished 53rd overall, said there was "no point in continuing to race."

The Dutch rider entered the Vuelta as co-leader with Primoš Roglic, who is currently fourth in GC. However, he lost time on the first stage and then lost another eight minutes on the second stage in Leckmberg. After the race, he said he had "no energy" and attributed it to his busy schedule since the race resumed in July.

Dumoulin finished seventh overall in the Tour de France after working for Roglic, but was happy to be back in shape after missing the second half of the 2019 season due to a knee injury suffered at the Giro d'Italia and then missing the spring 2020 race due to illness

He is now back in good shape.

He has now agreed with the team's coaching staff that he would rather rest and focus on next season than continue in the Vuelta.

"The coaching staff and I think the best option is to stay off the bike," Dumoulin said.

"I was already feeling tired at the start of the Vuelta, and that feeling was still there.

"It doesn't make sense to continue and it might put a strain on me next season. Leaving the Vuelta is not desirable, but this is the right choice. But it is the right choice. With Primoz we are in a good position overall. I hope the team can win the championship."

Merijn Zeeman, Jumbo Visma's sport director, expressed regret that Dumoulin was leaving the race, but noted that his fatigue was increasing by the day.

"It's a shame Tom is leaving," Zeeman said. 'Every day we monitored his fatigue and it continued to increase. Despite this, he played an important role in the team and did a good job.

"His brief participation in the Vuelta was a good investment for 2021, but we understand that we are encountering limitations and we take responsibility for that.