Contador secures second Tour victory

Spain's Alberto Contador secured his second Tour de France by coming through the final dash into Paris unscathed as Mark Cavendish claimed another stage victory in dominant style on the Champs-Élysées.

Astana rider Contador, who covered the 3,459.5km course in 85h 48mins 35secs, was joined on the 2009 podium by team-mate Lance Armstrong, who finished third at the age of 37, capping an unprecedented comeback four years after retiring.

Luxembourg's Andy Schleck of Team Saxo Bank split the two in second place, while Bradley Wiggins matched the best finish by a British rider by claiming fourth for Garmin Slipstream.

Ireland's Nicolas Roche came home in 89th in the same time as Cavendish, to cement his 23rd place finish overall, 38 minutes behind Contador.

Roche can also take great encouragement from placing fifth overall in the Youth and sixth in the Points sections for his AG2R La Mondiale team, who finished fourth of the 20 teams.

The last stage provided yet another chance for Cavendish to prove he is the fastest man on a bike as he surged clear of the field for a remarkably comfortable victory - the first by a British rider on the Champs-Élysées.

Cavendish's Columbia team again controlled the sprint finish with the American veteran George Hincapie then Australian Mark Renshaw leading out the Manxman perfectly.

The 24-year-old completed the Tour for the first time at the third attempt.

He told British Eurosport: 'I said all along, I wanted to win on the Champs-Élysées. Every single sprinter in the world, dreams of crossing the line with their hands in the air on the Champs-Élysées.

'There was a lot of fighting with other teams trying to come through but we kept it so controlled.'

Asked about his ambitions for next year, Cavendish said he had unfinished business in the contest for the green jersey - the classification awarded to the best all-round sprinter, which was won by Norway's Thor Hushovd.

Cavendish said: 'I didn't win the green jersey, did I?

'But I'm happy with six stages. I said I would be content with one stage and reaching Paris. we've had a beautiful three weeks here. To win is the feeling I like best so we will try to target the green jersey next year.'

Cavendish confirmed he had made his peace with Hushovd. The two had engaged in a spat after the Columbia rider was penalised following a complaint from the Norwegian - the ruling all but eliminating Cavendish from the contest for the green jersey.

He said: 'Everyone knows I mouth off when I get upset but when you have time to reflect you see you're in the wrong. He's a lovely guy and to fall out over something silly, it's not really worth it.'

Italian Franco Pellizotti was King of the Mountains while Schleck's second place was enough to secure the white jersey awarded to the best-placed young rider.

Contador, who won the Tour two years ago, was delighted with his second victory and admitted he was pushed all the way this year.

'Thanks to my team and everyone at the organisation,' he said.

'It was of course a difficult challenge this year's Tour de France. I'm really happy to have won. It was a tough Tour out there. It brings me deep joy and honour to be here in front of you all.'