Germany's Ullrich wins the Tour of Spain.

Susana Ramírez. SPORTEC. Dutch rider Jeroen Blijlevens of TVM team sprinted to victory in the 21st and final stage of the Vuelta a España on Sunday. Germany's Jan Ullrich became the first German to win the Tour in 34 years, notching the second major success of his career.

Blijlevens clocked a winning time of four hours 6 minutes and 23 seconds, with an average speed of 39,7 km/h.

The 163-km stage, starting and finishing in Madrid, the Capital city of Spain, which circled Madrid before eight laps of the famous Paseo De La Castellana

The final stage, traditionally an easy one and meant to be a victory parade for the wearer of the golden jersey, was also a chance for the teams to take a final victory in the Tour.

Italy's Lelli of Cofidis team and Verziagi, who rides for Fuenlabrada, made a move by kms 109, although they were caught by the main pack after a 3-km ride.

Belgium's Frank Vandenbroucke of Cofidis team broke away from the main group and manage a 32-km solo ride, having 1:30 in hand over the main peloton.

The Belgium rider was reeled in 143-km, by the fourth lap around the Paseo de la Castellana circuit. Roscioli and Brasi attacked, but were quickly caught by the main group.

The main pack pushed the pace and some teams, in a bid to get their sprinters in a good position, started to make breakaways.

The stage was won in a mass sprint finish by the Dutch rider Jeroen Blijevens of the TVM team, who has not had a remarkable performance during the Tour, but showed today his potential as a sprinter. Ullrich came home in the 37th place. Spain's Igor Gonzalez Galdeano of Vitalicio Seguros team, second overall, was four minutes 15 seconds in arrears and had conceded defeat in the trial on Saturday.

Spain's Jose Maria Jimenez, third overall won the King of the Mountains title for the second successive year and his Banesto colleagues took the team honours. Belgium's Frank Vandenbroucke won the points competition of the Vuelta a España in its 54th edition.