German Tony Martin has confirmed that he has withdrawn from the Tour De France.
The World Time Trial Champion has not had any luck in this year's tour with the Omega Pharma Quick Step rider suffering a mechanical in the Prologue which cost him sixteen seconds and then suffered a fracture of the scaphoid bone of his hand on stage one the following day.
He carried on and completed yesterday's stage nine time trial but has withdrawn to try and rest and see if he can make the Olympic Games.
Martin is quoted by our friends at www.cyclingnews.comas saying: "It's difficult for me to step out of the Tour and leave my teammates here to keep on fighting.
"But it's the right thing to do now, and I know that even the guys will understand. I will go home and I will try to recover as much as I can. I don't want things to get even worse going into the mountains. I cannot imagine sitting in the back of the peloton suffering every day a little bit more as I did during this week. I really tried, but now it's time to think about my complete recovery.
"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 for the Olympics."
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