After last week's doping scandals and the ouster of Michael Rasmussen, the dust has settled and the Tour de France has a winner, Spain's Alberto Contador. The 24-year old cyclist from Spain is the youngest winner since Jan Ullrich. He's also the first Spaniard to win the Tour since Miguel Indurain.

His margin of victory - just 23 seconds ahead of Cadel Evans of Australia - was the second-narrowest in the Tour's 104-year history, even after 2,200 miles of racing through Britain, Belgium, Spain and France.

"I think we've seen the future of Spanish cycling and perhaps international cycling," seven-time Tour winner lance armstrong said.

Contador had seemed destined for second place until the Tour was hit by a bombshell just five days from the finish: the ouster of race leader Michael Rasmussen. His Rabobank team accused the Dane of having lied about his whereabouts before the Tour to evade doping controls.

Rasmussen's departure catapulted Contador into the race lead, Evans to the runner-up spot, and U.S. rider Levi Leipheimer into third. Those standings held through the closing four days - including a thrilling time trial Saturday that Leipheimer won and the 91-mile final ride Sunday to Paris' fan-lined Champs-Elysees from Marcoussis, west of the capital. The stage was won by Daniele Bennati of Italy.

Contador high-fived and hugged his teammates after crossing the line. His original goal was to take the white jersey for the best young rider. In the end, he got both white and yellow jerseys.

Contador was a new star for a race that has been searching for a successor to Armstrong, who retired in 2005, and which is struggling to repair its credibility after two straight years marred by doping.

Source