Italy's Vincenzo Nibali wins Tour de France

PARIS, France -- Italy's Vincenzo Nibali has won the Tour de France, becoming the first Italian to win cycling's greatest race in 16 years by chiselling a lead over his main rivals a few seconds at a time and dominating them in the mountains.

The 29-year-old Sicilian, who called himself "a flag-bearer of anti-doping" during the race, finished in the main pack behind Marcel Kittel, who won Sunday's Stage 21 in a sprint finish.

Nibali's victory comes after the pre-race favorites - 2013 champion Chris Froome and two-time winner Alberto Contador - crashed out with injuries in the first half of the race.

Nibali is only the sixth rider to win all three Grand Tours - France, Italy and Spain- and is the first Italian to win the Tour de France since Marco Pantani in 1998.