Fabian Cancellara has withdrawn from the Tour de France ahead of today's 148-kilometre 11th stage from Albertville to La Toussuire.

The Swiss 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.

Cancellara (RadioShack-Nissan) was 58th overall following yesterday's 10th stage, almost 40 minutes behind Wiggins, and will now return home to be with his wife in the final days of her pregnancy before focusing on the Olympics.

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."