Former yellow jersey holder Fabian Cancellara quits Tour de France

The Swiss cyclist drops out of competition to be with pregnant wife before focusing on Olympic time-trials.

Tour de France cyclist Fabian Cancellara

Fabian Cancellara has withdrawn from the Tour de France - to be with his pregnant wife.

The Swiss cyclist quit the race ahead of today's 148-kilometre 11th stage from Albertville to La Toussuire.

Cancellara won the Liege prologue and held on to the race leader's yellow jersey until Saturday's seventh stage, when Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins assumed the maillot jaune.

The RadioShack-Nissan rider was 58th overall following yesterday's 10th stage, almost 40 minutes behind Wiggins, but will now return home to be with his wife in the final days of her pregnancy before focusing on the forthcoming Olympic Games in London.

Cancellara, who will be aiming to defend his Olympic time-trial title on August 1, said: "I am not only a bike rider, 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."

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