Cavendish pulls out of Tour de France ahead of Rio 2016

Omnisports

July 19, 2016 7:10 AM

He has won four stages of this year's race, but Mark Cavendish will take no further part in the Tour de France as he focuses on Rio 2016.

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Mark Cavendish has opted not to compete in the remainder of the Tour de France as he turns his attentions towards the Rio Olympics.

The Dimension Data rider has enjoyed an excellent Tour, winning four stages including three of the first six.

Those four victories took him to 30 on the all-time list, second only behind Eddy Merckx (34).

But he will make up no more ground on Merckx this year, following Tuesday's announcement from Dimension Data, with Cavendish set to compete in Great Britain's track team in Rio.

"After an extremely enjoyable and successful couple of weeks at The Tour de France with Team Dimension Data, it is with great sadness that I took the decision today to leave the race," Cavendish said in a statement.

"After the heat and intensity of the previous stages, we analysed my fatigue levels and decided I'm at a point that would have a detrimental effect on my other big goal for the year, the Olympic Games.

"To leave a race and organisation that I hold so much respect for and a team that I have such a special bond with, has not been an easy decision at all.

"I want to say thank you to them, along with all the fans for their support and encouragement, today and over the past 16 stages.

"I wish Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka and all the other competitors luck in the final few days into Paris, a special place that I will definitely miss the emotions of this year."

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