Michael Rasmussen returned to competition for the first time since being expelled from the Tour de France, riding in a street race in Denmark in front of thousands of cheering supporters.

After leading most of the way, Rasmussen lost ground in the final sprint and finished in the peloton in the Tour de Charlottenlund, an 80 km race through an affluent Copenhagen suburb that attracts mostly amateur and second-tier professional riders.

The 33-year-old cancelled a scheduled appearance at a news conference after the race, which was won by Team CSC's Nicki Sorensen.

Danish news agency Ritzau quoted Rasmussen as saying he had yet to find a team to ride for after Rabobank.

"I'm juggling a few options, and we'll see what happens," Rasmussen said. "Hopefully this is a new beginning."

Police estimated 20,000 spectators attended the race. They applauded Dane Rasmussen, and some wore t-shirts that proclaimed him the real winner of the Tour de France.

Rasmussen was sacked by his team Rabobank and thrown out of the Tour last month while leading the race for lying to the team about his training whereabouts, an allegation he denies.

Spain's Alberto Contador won the Tour de France.