Scandal-hit Tour's new blow as team axe Vino

Although the Kazakh rider denies doping, Astana said today: "We have received confirmation that Alexander Vinokourov's B sample was 'non negative'. Consequently he has been sacked by Astana with immediate effect."

Vinokourov's dismissal comes less than 24 hours after the scandal hit-Tour came to its conclusion in Paris.

Cristian Moreni and Patrik Sinkewitz also failed tests while one-time race leader Michael Rasmussen was sacked by his Rabobank team after they accused him of lying about his whereabouts before the Tour when he missed two dope tests.

The scandals brought widespread condemnation with two German TV stations stopping their coverage after Sinkewitz's fate was announced, while Deutsche Telekom, which sponsors his T-Mobile team, is among the backers reconsidering its support for cycling.

Isle of Man rider Mark Cavendish is also part of the team, whose spokesman Christian Frommert said today: "The Tour has just ended and we want to monitor the developments and take our time to discuss this matter in a considered manner.

"However, there must be closure on this within the next two weeks. I can assure you that as soon as we have something to say we will say it.î

With so much controversy surrounding the sport, Britain's David Millar has now called on cycling to tackle the problems.

"It's time for everybody to get their heads together and fix this sport," said the rider, who finished 69th in his second Tour since completing his own two-year doping ban.

Millar also urged Bradley Wiggins to race in the Tour again despite his anger at being forced to quit this year's event early. Wiggins's Cofidis team pulled out following Moreni's positive test, leaving the 27-year-old Briton to say the Tour had lost all credibility.

But Millar said: "It is tragic what has happened to Bradley. Bradley is collateral damage in this war against doping and if there is one person who doesn't deserve it, it's him. 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."

Despite the controversy, 24-year-old Alberto Contador relished the moment yesterday when he became the youngest winner of the Tour since Jan Ullrich in 1997 and the first Spanish victor since Miguel Indurain in 1995.

"It is the dream of every rider to win the Tour de France," said Contador, whose winning cushion was the closest margin of victory since Greg LeMond beat Laurent Fignon by eight seconds in 1989.

"It's a dream, it is paradise. It is an extraordinary joy for me. It is an extraordinary day for my family, my parents, my brother."

Five years ago, Contador's life was in danger after he spent 10 days in a coma with swelling to the brain following a crash in the Tour of Asturias.

His recovery is complete with this Tour win, and he added: "The operation on my brain affected me for life, and that means I can better savour this moment."

Australia's Cadel Evans secured second in the overall standings, with Levi Leipheimer eight seconds further back in third. Predictor-Lotto rider Evans said: "It was magnificent [to finish on the Champs-Elysees] and it was great to see the crowd all out. That's what my sport and our sport is all about. I saw the Aussies and it helped. Every year, there are more Aussie flags and kangaroos."

The final stage was won by Lampre-Fondital's Daniele Bennati - who nicked a sprint finish near to the Place de la Concorde ahead of Thor Hushovd and Erik Zabel, in a time of 3:51:03.

"It is the most beautiful win of my career,î said the Italian, who claimed his second stage victory of the Tour.

"It's incredible. To win the last stage of the Tour de France, it's a dream."

Geraint Thomas may have only narrowly missed out on the Tour de France's most unwanted prize, the lanterne rouge - for last place - but the 21-year-old Welshman was delighted to finish the gruelling race.

When Thomas arrived at the finish on the Champs-Elysees he had spent 91 hours, two minutes and two seconds in the saddle since the Tour set off from London three weeks ago.

He came in 140th of the 141 riders to finish the race, just ahead of Wim Vansevenant, of Belgium.

Lanterne rouge means red light as the Tour peloton is considered a train and at the back of a train is a red light.

"Everyone dreams of riding down the Champs-Elysees and finishing the Tour. I'm happy to get here but feeling it," said the Cardiff rider. "Now I want to go out, have a few beers and catch up with some friends, but I'll definitely be resting for a few weeks. Going to bed is the main aim."