Tony Martin withdraws from Tour de France due to injury

Tony Martin has pulled out of the Tour de France so that a broken bone in his wrist can heal in time for the Olympics.

The German world time trial champion suffered the injury in stage one but has ridden on until this point with a special cast on his wrist.

"It's difficult for me to step out of the Tour and leave my teammates here to keep on fighting," Martin said in an Omega Pharma-Quick Step statement on Tuesday.

"But it's the right thing to do now, and I know that even the guys will understand.

"I have still three weeks before the Olympics. I know that it won't be easy, but I will do all my best to be in good shape."

Martin has until August 1, the date of the road cycling time trial, to recover if he is to make London 2012.