ALBERTO Contador won one of the most turbulent races in the 104-year history of the Tour de France, when he preserved his 23-second lead over Australia's Cadel Evans in Paris.

The race, which began amid euphoric scenes in London and Kent three weeks ago, spiralled into chaos after a spate of doping cases.

Leader Michael Rasmussen was expelled for lying to his Rabobank team, former race favourite Alexandre Vinokourov was found with someone else’s blood in his veins and Bradley Wiggins’ Cofidis team pulled out of the race, after one of their riders, Cristian Moreni, admitted using testosterone.

Amid the carnage Contador emerged to win one of the narrowest ever victories. The Spaniard inherited the leader’s yellow jersey after Rasmussen’s ejection and dug deep to defend a 1:50 lead going into Saturday’s crucial time trial between Cognac and Angouleme.

Evans whittled away all but 23 seconds of Contador’s advantage, but he himself was nearly reeled in by the Discovery channel rider’s team mate Levi Leipheimer, who finished third overall, just ten seconds behind the Australian.

The final stage into Paris was largely a procession, but Daniele Bennati won the sprint finish on the Champs Elysees, ahead of Norway’s Thor Hushovd.

Tom Boonen of Belgium won the green points jersey while Colombia’s Juan Mauricio Soler was crowned King of the Mountains. Contador, still only 24 years of age, automatically won the white jersey competition for the best young rider.