British sprinter Mark Cavendish pulls out of Tour de FranceCHRIS GRAYTHEN/GETTY IMAGES Mark Cavendish, who won four stages, has pulled out of the Tour de France to prepare for the Olympics. British sprinter Mark Cavendish has withdrawn from the Tour de France in a bid to improve his medal chances at next month's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. READ MORE:* Sagan claims third win* Henderson aged by tortuous climbs* Jarlinson Pantano wins brutal 15th stage* Froome extends Tour lead* Le Tour: Brilliant or broken? 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 would have been a contender to win the final stage Sunday (Monday NZT) on the Champs-Elysees.

Source: Stuff July 19, 2016 21:00 UTC