Alberto Contador fixed triumph in the Vuelta an Espana with a strong execution in the end time trial stage in Santiago de Compostela.
In wet conditions on Sunday he lost 27 seconds to Briton Chris Froome.
In any case it was sufficient for Spaniard Contador to take his third Vuelta title, completing one moment and 10 seconds in front of the Team Sky rider in general.
"It's a fantasy for me to win three Vueltas," said 31-year-old Contador. "I truly was not expecting it."
Movistar's Adriano Malori had the best of Sunday's climate and won the stage from Jesse Sergent and Rohan Dennis.
Chris Froome in activity i Sunday's opportunity trial
Froome was never going to hook back enough time on the last stage to beat Contador
Malori timed 11 minutes and 12 seconds around the 9.7km course to beat New Zealand's Sergent (Trek Factory Racing) by eight seconds with Australian Dennis (BMC) a further second back.
Tinkoff-Saxo rider Contador had won stage 20 on Saturday to amplify his general lead from Britain's Froome to one moment and 37 seconds and everything except secure the title and add to his wins in 2008 and 2012.
It was an astounding recuperation not just by Contador, 31, who broke his leg short of what two months prior in a crash that constrained him out of the Tour de France, additionally by Froome, who softened his hand and wrist up a crash that finished his Tour protection.
"These previous two months I have had a considerable measure of good and bad times and the backing of the fans has been pivotal," said Contador.
"I am amazingly satisfied and simply need to thank the group as without them this win would have been outlandish."
General Classification
1. Alberto Contador (Spa/Tinkoff-Saxo) 81 hours 25 minutes 05 seconds
2. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) +1:10"
3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +1:50"
4. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa/Katusha) +3:25"
5. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) +4:48"
6. Samuel Sanchez (Spa/BMC Racing) +9:30"
7. Daniel Martin (Ire/Garmin) +10:38"
8. Warren Barguil (Fra/Giant) +11:50"
9. Damiano Caruso (Ita/Cannondale) +12:50"
10. Daniel Navarro (Spa/Cofidis) +13:02"
Alberto Contador
Contador had enough time under control to go out on a limb around the time trial course on Sunday
Alejandro Valverde, Alberto Contador and Chris Froome
Spaniard Contador (focus) made up the 2014 Vuleta platform with Valverde (left) and Froome
Alberto Contador and Chris Froome
Contador and Froome welcomed one another warmly on the platform in Santiago de Compostela
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