Contador Wins Tour de France, Armstrong Stalls Final Stage

The 27-year-old Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador sipped champagne as he rode to his third Tour de France victory in Paris, marking what could be a changing of the guard in the world of cycling.

His victory was sealed during Saturday's time trial, when he held off his closest challenger and cycling rival, Andy Schleck of Luxemborg, the AP reported.

"I am very moved," Contador said. "It was a difficult Tour and I'm very happy. I think it's the first Tour that has given me so much emotion. You can't imagine."

Contador's trip to the podium was delayed by a publicity stunt pulled by Lance Armstrong.  The 7-time Tour winner from Texas ruled himself out of contention weeks ago after a crash put him minutes back, but that did not stop him from trying to steal a little spotlight at the race end, Universal Sports reported

Together with the rest of his RadioShack team, Lance donned an all back jersey with the number '28' on the back, meant to symbolize the millions of people world wide who have cancer.  Race officials insisted that all riders had to wear their official team uniforms, so the entire peloton was delayed while Lance and his crew changed back.

Contador, nicknamed "Pistolero" for his trademark gesture of cocking his fingers like a gun, took up a water pistol at the races end and soaked photographers.

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