REUTERS - Former world champion Tom Boonen has pulled out of the Tour de France before the 15th stage, organisers said on Sunday.

Boonen, 28, had been ill all night. The sprinter had not made an impact on the race and was 79th in the competition for the green points jersey, which he won in 2007.

The Belgian champion, who failed an out-of-competition dope test for cocaine in April, was only allowed on to the Tour after a French arbitration court ruled in his favour on the eve of the race.