News: Cancellara leaves the Tour de France

Radioshack-Nissan-Trek rider Fabian Cancellara has decided not to start today’s 11th stage of the 99th Tour de France.

Cancellara, winner of the Prologue and 7 days yellow jersey in the 2012 Tour, returns home to Bern, Switzerland to assist his wife in the last days of her pregnancy.

“The decision to go back home is harder than you might expect,” explains the Swiss time trial champion. “Up to now, the Team has had a very good Tour de France. We won a stage, had the yellow jersey for more than a week, we lead the Teams Classification and we have four riders in the top 20 of the GC. Most of all, we could show the cycling world that we are not just a group of nine strong individual riders, but a real team.”

“The atmosphere within this group is amazing. All of this makes it hard to abandon here. On the other hand, all of my teammates and directors understand and agree with my decision. I am not only a bike rider,” continued the four-time world champion. “I am also a husband and father with another baby on the way.”

“It is my personal wish to be present when my wife Stefanie gives birth to our second child. That “trophy” is more important than another Tour stage win or an Olympic medal. I already need to thank my wife for her patience with me during the last month in her pregnancy that has been difficult at times. The least I can do is to assist her in these difficult days.”

Fabian Cancellara will resume competition in London at the Olympic Games where he will his defend his 2008 title.