PAU, France: Spain's Alberto Contador was wearing the Tour de France's yellow jersey at the start of Friday's stage, after the previous race leader was sacked by his own team in a row over doping tests.

No rider wore the emblematic yellow jersey designating the overall leader on Thursday, after the Rabobank team sensationally withdrew Denmark's Michael Rasmussen on suspicion of doping.

On Thursday the Dutch outfit's manager, Theo de Rooy, said Rasmussen, was not only out of the Tour but had also been sacked from the team.

The shocking announcement came after the Danish rider, who had worn the yellow jersey for over a week, appeared to have sealed overall victory when winning Wednesday's stage.

"He lied to me, that is the chief reason (for sacking him)," de Rooy said.

The presence in the race of 33-year-old Rasmussen had already been questioned after it was revealed he had missed four out-of-competition dope tests in the past 18 months.

Race organizers welcomed the action taken.

A group of fans joke with a fake syringe reading EPO during the 17th stage of the 94th Tour de France cycling race between Pau and Castelsarrasin on Thursday.

"Rasmussen's exit is the best thing that can happen to the Tour," race director Christian Prudhomme told reporters before the start of Thursday's stage.

The Danish rider, who insisted at a press conference earlier this week that he was clean, was left reeling.

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