Alessandro Petacchi (Team Lampre). Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Italian Team Lampre rider and sprinter ace Alessandro Petacchi has pulled out of the Spanish Vuelta on its first rest day after injuring himself in a large pileup during the eighth stage of the race.

The crash occurred 6.8 miles from the start of the stage Saturday and involved a number of the leading riders.

A statement on the Lampre website Monday said the fall gave Petacchi cuts that could not be treated by a masseur.

Petacchi said "I can't hold the handlebar."

Petacchi rode on after the crash with a badly torn outfit and a bloody lower back, finishing 124th in the stage.

The 36-year-old rider had won Friday's seventh stage, impressively the 20th Vuelta stage win of his career.

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