More reactions:

Kim Andersen (Team CSC manager): "It was a shame that Fabian had bad weather, but Carlos did a very good time trial and yet again confirmed he can be at his very best even in the final week of a very, very demanding stage race."

Carlos Sastre (Team CSC): "Once again I gave my very best and I'm happy with my time trial. I knew I probably wasn't able to improve in the general classification, but it was still important for me to show that I'm among the best riders in this race."

Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC): "When you love this sport then you need a small rest. Then you have new energy to look forward to new things. The next thing is the world championship."

Kim Kirchen (T-Mobile): "We're all happy to reach Paris . I have my seventh place and I earned it - but, especially, the team earned it. During the first part of the Tour I was feeling very good. I had a very bad day in the Pyrenees but I continued to give everything also yesterday in the time trial, I had a great day. I think I clinched one of the greatest results in my career."

Linus Gerdemann (T-Mobile): "I've great hopes for next year. In the end, I've seen in my first Tour that I can keep up with the best."

Iban Mayo (Saunier-Duval): "I'm glad with my performance here in France, especially if I take into account how the previous editions unfolded for me. I even hit the headlines this year, and this is very important to me. Even when I was third overall I said my goal was to grab a stage win. I could have changed my mind and seek for a good overall standing, but I bid on a triumph. Unfortunately, Rasmussen managed to build a huge advantage in Tignes, and in Aubisque I was close as well."