Mark Cavendish has announced his decision to pull out of the Tour de France in order to focus on the Olympic Games.
The 31-year-old won four stages during this year's Tour, including the opening one at Utah Beach as he claimed the yellow jersey for the first time in his career.
However, he will not resume when the 17th stage gets underway, making the decision to withdraw on the second rest day.
"I'm at a point that would have a detrimental effect on my other big goal for the year, the Olympic Games," he said in a statement.
Cavendish, who will be bidding for omnium gold in Rio next month, ends the Tour with 30 stage wins to his name overall - second only to Eddy Merckx.
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
