Spaniard Oscar Freire took the green jersey for the best sprinter. (Photo: Sina.com)

The 95th edition of the race was hit by doping affairs.

Spaniards Manuel Beltran and Moises Duenas Nevado, as well as Italian Riccardo Ricco, tested positive for the banned blood-booster EPO.

Ricco's Saunier Duval team left the race when the rider's positive test was announced just before the 12th stage.

Yesterday as the peloton headed into Paris, Sastre cruised alongside his team car and was handed a glass of champagne by CSC boss Bjarne Riis, the 1996 Tour winner.

Raised a glass

Sastre raised a glass to the cameras as photographers on motorbikes took pictures of the Spaniard.

Sastre said on Saturday that his victory belonged as much to his team CSC as to him.

Kohl won the polka dot jersey for the best climber.

"To be honest, this is the result of team work. The Schleck brothers (Frank and Andy) accepted to sacrifice their chances for me. They helped me with my morale, they helped make sure my dream came true," the Spaniard said.

"We did exactly what we had announced before the start of the Tour. Carlos was very consistent," said Riis.

Sastre had been picked as the CSC leader despite the presence in the team of two other contenders, the Schleck brothers.

In the 53-km time trial between Cerilly and Saint-Amand-Montrond on Saturday, Sastre was far from favorite, being considered for years as a pure climber.

"I was calm, I was relaxed, I knew it was the chance of a lifetime. I think I deserved it," he said.

Sastre had made the Tour his one and only goal of the season and had been very discreet so far but he said it was all part of a carefully planned strategy.

"I took it easy in the beginning of the season. I knew I needed to be fit for the Tour and later, possibly, for the Vuelta, I handled my season carefully to achieve my dream," said Sastre, third in the 2006 Tour.

"It was his Tour," summed up his teammate Andy Schleck, his best aide in the mountains.

Sastre's victory is the best possible consolation for being barred from competing in the race, according to Contador.

"As I was unable to defend my yellow jersey, the best thing that could happen is for a compatriot to win the race," Contador told Spanish sports daily Marca yesterday.

(Shanghai Daily July 28, 2008)