Cycling: Cancellara’s Tour ends early

Cancellara wants to be with his expectant wife.

ALBERTVILLE: Four-time world champion Fabian Cancellara pulled out of the Tour de France before the start of the 11th stage yesterday to be with his expectant wife. Cancellara wore the yellow jersey for a week after winning the opening prologue, but with his wife expecting to give birth soon the Swiss decided to end his campaign early. “The decision to go back home is harder than you might expect,” said Cancellara. “I am not only a bike rider, I am also a husband and father. It is my personal wish to be present when my wife Stefanie gives birth to our second child.” Leaving the Tour early may also help Cancellara focus on the upcoming defence of his time trial Olympic title.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2012.