Contador wins scandal hit Tour
30th Jul 2007Spain's Alberto Contador has won the 2007 Tour de France.
The Discovery Chanel rider successfully negiotiated the cobbled streets of the Champs-Elysees to maintain his 23-second lead over Australian Cadel Evans, with American team-mate Levi Leipheimer taking third place.
However Contador's victory will be overshadowed by a race marred with several doping scandals.
Michael Rasmussen seemed destined for victory after dominating the mountain stages but was sacked by his team having failed to confirm his whereabouts before the race.
Pre-race favourite Alexandre Vinokourov was then expelled from the tour having failed a drugs test. Cristian Moreni and Patrik Sinkewitz also failed drugs tests in what was ironically billed 'the clean Tour' before the race began.
Contador, 24, is the youngest winner since Jan Ullrich in 1997.
Charles Wegelius was the top British finisher in 45th position, with David Millar in 69th and Geraint Thomas, the youngest rider in the race, 140th on his Tour debut.
Fellow Britain and Olympic gold-medalist Bradley Wiggins was forced to leave the Tour early after his Cofidis team pulled out after Cristian Moreni tested positive for testosterone.
Wiggins will miss the 2008 Tour de France as he switches his attention to the Beijing Olympics but Millar hopes he will return to the race again.
"It is tragic what has happened to Bradley," said Millar.
"Bradley is collateral damage in this war against doping and if there is one person who doesn't deserve it it's Bradley Wiggins. I hope it doesn't hurt him too much.
"I can understand how terrible and resentful he feels at the moment, but I hope he comes back and rides it again."
