Mark Cavendish withdraws from the Tour de France due to heat and fatigue ahead of Rio
MARK CAVENDISH has withdrawn from the Tour de France to prepare for the Olympics.
Mark Cavendish has quit the Tour De France
The 31-year-old's Team Dimension Data squad announced Cavendish will not resume the race in Tuesday's 17th stage, ending his participation on the second rest day.
The Isle of Man sprinter won four stages, including the first at Utah Beach, to take the yellow jersey for the first time in his career.
His overall tally is now 30, second only to Eddy Merckx.
Dimension Data: Mark Cavendish has left Tour de France to prepare for Olympic Games #TDF2016 #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/eOxys7JRf8
— CyclingTips (@cyclingtips) July 19, 2016
However, Cavendish has opted to leave the Tour ahead of Sunday's conclusion in Paris to focus on his dream of omnium gold in Rio next month.
He said he took the decision "with great sadness" and added: "I'm at a point that would have a detrimental effect on my other big goal for the year, the Olympic Games."