Warren Barguil has been kicked off the Vuelta a Espana by Team Sunweb for failing to obey team orders.
Barguil did not help out his team-mate Wilco Kelderman, Sunweb's designated team leader, after he suffered a puncture late in Friday's stage seven, which finished in Cuenca.
The Frenchman, winner of the king of the mountains jersey at last month's Tour de France, finished in the peloton in the 207km stage to move up to 13th place overall.
But it was the 17 seconds lost by Kelderman which appears to have upset the team, with the Dutch rider having dropped a place behind Barguil because of his late misfortune - team-mate Sam Oomen did drop back to help him.
The team said in a statement: "[Barguil] openly expressed that he didn't wish to conform to team goals, which left Team Sunweb with no other option than to take this decision.
"Working according to a team plan with clear goals is deeply anchored in the team's way of working."
Barguil has already agreed a deal to leave the team for 2018, when he will be joining French squad Fortuneo-Oscaro.
He said: "I have to leave the Vuelta by the decision of the team. I feel very well and have good legs.
"I see myself in different a role and am eager to attack in the mountains, as I did in the Tour.
"The Vuelta is a great race and it is disappointing to leave but this is a decision from the team that I need to accept."