Sastre the seventh Spanish winner

28 July 2008 | 10:27 - afp.com

Carlos Sastre became the seventh Spaniard to win the Tour de France yellow jersey when he wrapped up overall victory on Sunday, taking his country's total to 11 wins.

Federico Bahamontes, nicknamed the 'Eagle of Toledo' thanks to his formidable climbing skills, broke new ground for his countrymen by winning the race in 1959.

Following in Bahamontes' trail, albeit 14 years later was the great Luis Ocana, who claimed his only win in 1973. It took another 15 years for Spain to hail a winner, in the shape of Pedro Delgado, in 1988.

Only three years later, in 1991, the great Miguel Indurain began a five-year winning streak which lasted until halfway through the 1996 race.

It took another 11 years for Spain to hail a new yellow jersey champion.

Spaniard Oscar Pereiro finished second in the 2006 race, but was proclaimed champion a year later when American Floyd Landis, who tested positive for testosterone during the race's stag 17, was officially disqualified.

Alberto Contador claimed his first Tour victory in 2007.

Wins by country after 95 editions

36: France

18: Belgium

11: Spain

10: United States

9: Italy

4: Luxembourg

2: Netherlands, Switzerland

1: Germany, Denmark, Ireland