The Tour de France rolled into Paris on Sunday for its grand finale on the Champs Elysees with the 24-year old Spaniard Alberto Contador as its leader. Battered last week by drugs scandals which sparked fresh debate over its continued existence, it looked to its young winner Mr Contador as a sign there is a future for the 104-year old race and indeed, the sport of cycling.

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A photo gallery following the 94th Tour de France

Sunday’s stage, which took the weary riders from Marcoussis to Paris, was almost ceremonial, with real racing as the riders began their final laps of the Champs Elysees.