Stage winner Cedric Vasseur of France (left) reacts after crossing the finish line ahead of Sandy Casar also of France (right) and Jens Voigt of Germany to win the 10th stage of the Tour de France between Tallard and Marseille yesterday. - AP

MARSEILLE, France (Reuters):

CEDRIC VASSEUR clinched the host country's first win in this year's Tour de France with victory on the 229.5-km 10th stage yesterday.

The 36-year-old Quick Step rider who will retire at the end of the season beat compatriot Sandy Casar to the line by the width of a wheel, with Swiss Michael Albasini of the Liquigas team coming home third.

Dane Michael Rasmussen of the Rabobank team retained the overall leader's yellow jersey after finishing in the bunch.

"I can now leave with my head high," Vasseur said. "Ten years ago, I wore the yellow jersey during five days. There are signs. I knew victory could not slip from my hands today."

Vasseur, who now has two Tour stage victories to his name, first raised his arms in triumph in La Chatre in 1997.

The former U.S. Postal and Cofidis rider was part of an 11-man breakaway that shaped up after about 60km.

In scorching heat, the fugitives built a 10-minute lead over the peloton, led by Rasmussen's Rabobank team.

The day started with the announcement by the German federation of Patrik Sinkewitz's positive test for elevated levels of testosterone.

The T-Mobile rider, who pulled out of the Tour after colliding with a spectator on Sunday, has been suspended by the team and his contract will be terminated should the B sample also be positive.

As a result, Germany's state broadcasters ARD and ZDF said they were halting coverage of cycling's most prestigious race, which is watched by more than a million Germans, until the Sinkewitz case is resolved.