By . Mike Dawes . Fabian Cancellara announced his withdrawal from the Tour de France on the race's first rest day on Tuesday, becoming the latest big name to exit, albeit the Swiss did so voluntarily. Unlike previous winners Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck and 25-time stage winner Mark Cavendish - all of whom crashed out - Cancellara chose to abandon the race prior to the Alps and Pyrenees in order to prepare for September's Road World Championships in Spain. Cancellara said in a statement released by his Trek Factory Racing team: 'I will travel home now and take a little break. The season has been long for me, starting back in Dubai (in February). Goodbye: Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara has withdrawn from the Tour de France ahead of the eleventh stage . Finding it tough: Cancellara was one of the best riders on the cobbled section in the fifth stage . Taking a break: Cancellara says he will take a short break at home ahead of the Roal World Championships . VIDEO No rest for Tour de France 'survivors' 'I have done 59 days of competition this season so far and I have another big goal at the end of this season: the World Championships. 'It's not a secret that I'd like to be in my best shape there, so it's important that I take some rest.' Cancellara was fifth over the stage five cobbles, a day which he began as one of the favourites for stage victory. Chasing: Cancellara follows fifth stage race leader Vincenzo Nibali on the cobbles . His departure, coupled with the exits of Schleck and Danny van Poppel, leaves Trek with six remaining riders. The Tour continues with Wednesday's 11th stage, the 187.5km route from Besancon to Oyonnax. Down and out: Mark Cavendish crashed during stage one of the Tour de France in Harrogate . Called it a day: Froome abandoned the Tour during the fifth stage between Ypres to Arenburg Porte du Hinaut . Retired: A doctor tends to Spain's Alberto Contador after his crash during the tenth stage .
Unlike Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck, he chose to abandon the race rather than being forced out because of a crash .
He withdrew in order to focus on September's Road World Championships .
Cancellara said he would travel home and take 'a little break'
The Tour continues on Wednesday, with the 187.5km eleventh stage .
By . Mike Dawes . Fabian Cancellara announced his withdrawal from the Tour de France on the race's first rest day on Tuesday, becoming the latest big name to exit, albeit the Swiss did so voluntarily. Unlike previous winners Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck and 25-time stage winner Mark Cavendish - all of whom crashed out - Cancellara chose to abandon the race prior to the Alps and Pyrenees in order to prepare for September's Road World Championships in Spain. Cancellara said in a statement released by his Trek Factory Racing team: 'I will travel home now and take a little break. The season has been long for me, starting back in Dubai (in February). Goodbye: Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara has withdrawn from the Tour de France ahead of the eleventh stage . Finding it tough: Cancellara was one of the best riders on the cobbled section in the fifth stage . Taking a break: Cancellara says he will take a short break at home ahead of the Roal World Championships . VIDEO No rest for Tour de France 'survivors' 'I have done 59 days of competition this season so far and I have another big goal at the end of this season: the World Championships. 'It's not a secret that I'd like to be in my best shape there, so it's important that I take some rest.' Cancellara was fifth over the stage five cobbles, a day which he began as one of the favourites for stage victory. Chasing: Cancellara follows fifth stage race leader Vincenzo Nibali on the cobbles . His departure, coupled with the exits of Schleck and Danny van Poppel, leaves Trek with six remaining riders. The Tour continues with Wednesday's 11th stage, the 187.5km route from Besancon to Oyonnax. Down and out: Mark Cavendish crashed during stage one of the Tour de France in Harrogate . Called it a day: Froome abandoned the Tour during the fifth stage between Ypres to Arenburg Porte du Hinaut . Retired: A doctor tends to Spain's Alberto Contador after his crash during the tenth stage .
Froome, Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck and crashed out - Cancellara chose to abandon the race prior to the Alps and Pyrenees in order to prepare for September's Road World Championships home now and take a little break. The season has the eleventh stage . Finding it tough: Cancellara riders. The Tour continues with Wednesday's 11th