Mark Cavendish Out Of The Tour De France

Last updated : 19 July 2016 By CNS Sport

Mark Cavendish has pulled out of the 103rd Tour De France.

Cavendish has won four stages in this year's race and worn the yellow jersey and broken Bernard Hinault's record for the number of stage wins and will now rest up for the Olympic Games in Rio where he will ride for Great Britain in the Maddison.

In a statement, Cavendish said: "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.

"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."