BERN, Switzerland (AP) " British sprinter Mark Cavendish has withdrawn from the Tour de France in a bid to improve his medal chances at next month's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Cavendish would have been a contender to win the final stage Sunday on the Champs-Elysees. 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. He wore the race leader's yellow jersey for the first time after winning the opening stage at Utah Beach, Normandy. Team Dimension Data made the announcement Tuesday on the race's second and final rest day, with five stages remaining.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 19, 2016 19:45 UTC