RadioShack's Levi Leipheimer's solid run at the Volta a Catalunya will end before he even takes the start in today's final stage.
The American ended yesterday's stage in second place overall, 23 seconds behind Saxo Bank's five-time Grand Tour winner, Alberto Contador.
The Californian rider revealed on his Twitter feed this morning that he was pulling out. "Really disappointed to fall ill on the last day of Volta Catalunya. Believe me I'd race if I could, but I'm down for the count. Thank you to my Team RadioShack teammates for all their hard work, I'm sorry to let you down!"
WielerFlits reported that the former Tour de France podium finisher actually spent the night in the hospital due to stomach problems.
The news comes from out of the blue, as Leipheimer finished high up in 23rd place in yesterday's bunch sprint after what seemed just another innocuous stage en route to a great early season result on Sunday.
It's a blow, of course, for Leipheimer, but also his RadioShack team, who were eagerly awaiting his second place overall points for the critical World Tour standings.