Contador seals Tour victory

Contador won the 2007 Tour de France after Daniele Bennati claimed a sprint victory in the final stage in Paris and following the most traumatic week in the event’s history.

Contador took a 23-second lead over Australia’s Cadel Evans going into the traditional showpiece finale, and his advantage was never under threat as the peloton remained intact for the majority of the race.

America’s Levi Leipheimer – Discovery team-mate to Contador – claimed third place overall, a further eight seconds back.

Italy’s Bennati claimed glory on the Champs-Elysees in a frantic sprint finish with Thor Hushovd and Erik Zabel second and third respectively on the day in the final act of a Tour that has been beset by doping scandals.