Cycling: World champion pulls out of Tour

MACON: World time trial champion Tony Martin of Germany has pulled out of the Tour de France during the race’s first rest day yesterday, confirmed his Omega Pharma team. “Tony will not start the 10th stage of the race tomorrow,” said his team. “In agreement with the team management and the medical staff, Martin will return home.” The 27-year-old crashed on stage one and decided to continue despite being diagnosed with a left wrist fracture. Martin finished ninth in Monday’s ninth stage and was 67th in the overall standings. “It’s difficult for me to leave the Tour and my teammates here,” said Martin. “But it’s the right thing to do. I have three weeks before the Olympics and I will do my best to be in good shape for them.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2012.