Mark Cavendish has opted to end his Tour de France prematurely to focus on his bid for the so-far elusive Olympic medal.
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Cavendish has won four stages on this year’s Tour and is preparing to race on the track at the Olympics, where he will be competing in the omnium event.
Cavendish was seen leaving the team’s hotel on Tuesday afternoon but the team would not say where he was heading to.
Cavendish has four career victories on the Champs-Elysees, with the last of them coming in 2012.
He has, however, little to prove after moving to career 30 stage wins on Le Tour, just four behind Belgian legend Eddy Merckx’s all-time record.
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”. 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.
Sources at British Cycling had indicated to the Guardian in mid-June that a withdrawal on the Tour’s second rest day would be the preferred option as that would give Cavendish six clear-cut sprint opportunities, while also allowing him time to recuperate before Rio.
Tuesday was a rest day.
The 31-year-old Briton has been in sublime form in this year’s edition of the Tour de France, claiming four stages for Dimension Data.
Douglas Ryder, the team principal, paid tribute to Cavendish and said he respected his decision.
“He has been a great team leader over the past two weeks and a great ambassador for everyone involved in this team and for the greater cause we ride for”.
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He will be riding in his third Olympics, having failed to win a medal in his first two Games. “It’s always a proud moment to be able to pull on a Great Britain jersey and to be able to do so at the Olympic games is extra special”.
