Off the wire
• Rio anti-doping lab reinstated  • Urgent: Mali declares state of emergency following violence  • U.S. energy giant Halliburton reports quarterly loss  • Interview: Tax hike on sugary soft drinks to reduce obesity, say Mexican experts  • 1st LD Writethru: U.S. probes possible first case of Zika virus spread by local mosquitoes  • Spotlight: Party unity remains elusive as Republicans gather for 2016 convention  • Kerry calls on Turkey to present evidence about Gulen's alleged involvement in coup  • Argentina's finance minister heading to China for G20 meeting  • Anti-IS coalition gains momentum, but more needs to be done: Pentagon chief  • 300 nuclear security agents to be deployed for Rio Olympics  
You are here: 　 Home

Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara withdraws from Tour for Rio Olympics

Xinhua, July 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara decided to withdraw from his last Tour de France and focus on the Rio Olympic Games kicking off on Aug. 5.

The 35-year-old became the second big name rider to quit the race in two days after British sprinter Mark Cavendish withdrew on Tuesday to focus on his bid for a first Olympic medal.

"This was not an easy decision to take, but I feel it is the right one," said the Trek rider in a statement.

"I don't like withdrawing from a race, especially not when our GC leader (Bauke Mollema) is in second place at four days from Paris.

"With some really hard stages ahead of us my support would naturally be more limited so we took the decision together to withdraw. It was a hard Tour for me -- a lot of stress and I feel tired. If I want to be good at the Olympics I need rest." he said. Enditem