Reigning world road champion Philippe Gilbert of the BMC Racing Team withdrew from the Amgen Tour of California before the start of Stage 4 Wednesday to attend to a pressing family matter.

"My wife is going to have our baby sooner than the delivery date," Gilbert said. "So it's an exciting reason and very important for me to be there."

Racing for the first time in the United States, Gilbert finished 56th on Sunday's Stage 1. On Stage 2, he provided an early lead-out to teammate Tejay van Garderen on the lower slopes of the finishing climb before finishing 30th. In Tuesday's race, he helped guide teammate Thor Hushovd to the front for the bunch sprint and placed 46th. Gilbert said while he was not enjoying top form, he did enjoy his time at the race.

"I always have problem with the jet lag and differences of temperature but it was a nice race," he said. "The roads were nice – different from Europe of course, with very big roads – and the organization was fine. It's a little bit sad to leave because I think Tejay is going to win this race." Gilbert and his wife, Patricia, already have a two-year-old son, Alan.