Casero's Spanish joy

Angel Casero (l) pipped Sevilla for the gold jersey

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Angel Casero snatched a thrilling victory in the 2001 Tour of Spain from the grasp of fellow Spaniard Oscar Sevilla.

Although Columbia's Santiago Botero won the 21st and final stage, it was the the 29-year-old Casero who was celebrating a home victory after he claimed the gold jersey by 47 seconds.

The time-trial specialist finished the technical 38-kilometre course around Madrid one minute 13 seconds faster than Sevilla.

It was the Festina rider's first major tour victory since he began cycling professionally in 1994.

I'm disappointed to lose the race on the last day

Oscar Sevilla

"I had the confidence that I could beat Oscar in a final time trial," said Casero, who was runner-up in last year's race to Roberto Heras.

"I was pretty sure that I could gain the 25 seconds on him so I didn't have any nerves at the start."

Despite a promising start, Sevilla began to struggle halfway through the stage.

And a problem with his handlebars made the task of holding onto his 25-second lead the more difficult.

"Of course I'm disappointed to lose the race on the last day," said Sevilla, who turned 25 on Saturday.

"But then I've got many reasons to be happy for everything that has happened on the tour."

There was some consolation for Sevilla's Kelme team when Botero won his second time-trial of the race.

Levi Leipheimer, who finished second behind Botero on Sunday, beat US Postal team-mate Heras to claim third position overall.

Results from Sunday's 21st and final stage

1. Santiago Botero, Colombia, Kelme, 45 minutes, 33 seconds.
2. Levi Leipheimer (US) US Postal, 14 secs behind.
3. David Millar (GB) Cofidis, 37 secs behind.
4. Angel Casero (Spa) Festina, 45 secs behind.
5. Claus Moller (Den) Milaneza, 56 secs behind.
6. Santos Gonzalez (Spa) ONCE, 1:23 behind.
7. Jorg Jaksche (Ger) ONCE, 1:45 behind.
8. Victor Pena (Col) US Postal, 1:46 behind.
9. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme, 1:57
10. Nathan O'Neill (Aus) Caramiche, 2:03 behind.

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Overall standings:

1. Angel Casero (Spa) Festina, 70 hours, 49 minutes, five seconds.
2. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme, 47 secs behind.
3. Levi Leipheimer (US) US Postal, 2:59 behind.
4. Roberto Heras (Spa) US Postal, 3:56 behind.
5. Juan Miguel Mercado (Spa) ibanesto.com, 5:45 behind.
6. David Plaza (Spa) Festina, 5:53 behind.
7. Jose Maria Rubiera (Spa) US Postal, 6:57 behind.
8. Claus Moller (Den) Milaneza, 7:13 behind.
9. Aitor Osa (Spa) ibanesto.com, 8:32 behind.
10. Fernando Escartin (Spa) Team Coast, 10:31 behind.

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