The Tour's best bits

Best Stage: Stage 18It is a tad predictable but the scene was set with all the race leaders together at the base of Alpe d'Huez before Sastre sprung clear in one of the finest climbing demonstrations for some time. The explosiveness of Mark Cavendish's final stage win lies a close second. Best team performance: Team CSC Saxo Bank Before the race, Stuart O'Grady claimed they were a team that had everything, and they proved just thought. They boasted the race winner, the team prize and a few stage wins to boot. In short, they completely bossed the race and deserved the victory.

Revelation of the Tour: Mark Cavendish The Briton sneaks it with his four stage wins in only his second Tour, an amazing feat although still shy of the record eight achieved by Eddy Merckx at a single Tour. Honourable mentions also go to Andy Schleck, Stefan Schumacher and Bernhard Kohl. Best near-death experience: John-Lee Augustyn The South African rider had been in the leading group coming down a steep ascent on stage 16 when he misjudged a corner, came off the road and tumbled some 50 metres down a shale mountain side. His bike did not stop but thankfully he did. He summed it up afterwards saying, "I thought I was going to die".

Biggest moaner: Cadel Evans He tried to label himself as a chirpy Aussie, but was tetchy with the media and did his best to blame everyone else when anything went wrong. His failure to win was off his own making ultimately. What to look out for next year A year's a long time in cycling, but Andy Schleck looks an immense talent capable of winning a raft of Tours. Should a team boss be willing to take a risk and build a line-up around him, he has a great shot.