The 25-year-old - who won Tuesday's 10th stage to Courchevel - was fifth overall and held the white jersey for the Best Young Rider classification.

But the Illes Balears rider has developed tendonitis in the knee and called it quits halfway through the stage from Miramas to Montpellier.

"I'm in good condition, but it's impossible with my knee," he said.

"It's better for me to stop now but I'm sorry to be pulling out. The positive thing is I've won a stage, which has been enormous for me."

Valverde is considered the next big cycling talent to emerge from Spain, and a possible successor to five-time Tour winner Miguel Indurain.

He injured his knee after banging it against his own handlebars during the team time trial in the first week of his first Tour.

The pain intensified at the start of stage 11 two days ago on the climb to the Madeleine Col in the Alps, the day after his victory over Armstrong.

E-mail this to a friend Printable version

Links to more Cycling stories

In This Section McEwen clinches third win of Tour Injury forces Valverde off Tour McEwen hails unbeatable Armstrong Bastille Day glory for Moncoutie Injured Boonen pulls out of Tour Frigo arrested after drugs find "Who is the leading contender now for the green jersey? McEwen would be my favourite" - NI Have Your Say Have you ridden the Tour? Tour de France stage guides The horror of the hills Robbie McEwen column American invasion hits the Tour Invincible already? A Tour leader's tricks Tour debutant Where Tour will be won and lost Full team and rider list French papers on Le Tour Voeckler's Tour dream O'Grady confident ab