Nibali finished in the main pack on Sunday to win his first Tour de France. The 29-year-old Sicilian slowly built up a lead over his main competitors throughout the Tour, then pulled away from the pack in the mountains.

German sprinter Marcel Kittel won the Tour's 137.5 kilometer 21st stage on Sunday, narrowly finishing ahead of Alexander Kristoff. The victory matched Nibali's four stage wins this Tour.

His victory comes after pre-race favorites Chris Froome, the 2013 winner, and two-time champion Alberto Contador crashed out with injures in the first half of the Tour.

Sunday's triumph means "the Shark" becomes the sixth rider to win all three Grand Tours - France, Italy and Spain. He is the first Italian to win the Tour de France since Marco Pantani in 1998.

"It's the most important and best moment, I never imagined it could feel this good because when you find yourself on this podium on the Champs Elysees, it's unique," Nibali said, reading a prepared statement. "I've never felt more emotional in my career."

The 7 minute 52 second margin of victory enjoyed by the Astana team captain is the largest winning margin since Germany's Jan Ullrich won by nine minutes and nine seconds in 1997.

Nabali, who has called himself "a flag-bearer of anti-doping" during the Tour, immediately celebrated with his wife and baby daughter after crossing the finish line.

France's Jean-Christophe Peraud was able to rejoin the peloton after falling in the final stage, and managed to hold onto his second place finish. Compatriot Thibaut Pinot finished third.

It's the first time two French riders have made the podium since 1984, when Laurent Fignon and Bernard Hinault took first and second, respectively.

dr/kms (dpa, AFP, AP, Reuters)