Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl's Remco Evenepoel hailed a moment of "history" for himself and Belgium as he confirmed his status as Vuelta a Espana champion on Sunday.
The 22-year-old was already poised to finish with the red jersey before stage 21, which saw riders traverse a 100.5km flat stage from Las Rozas to Madrid.
A total time of 80h 26' 59" saw Evenepoel end Belgium's 44-year wait for a Grand Tour general classification champion after Johan De Muynck's Giro d'Italia success in 1978.
"I don't know what's going through my head and my body right now. It's amazing," Evenopoel told reporters after sealing his maiden Grand Tour victory. "It really sinks in now. Yesterday the emotions were quite high, but you still have to finish the race.
"It's history for the team, for my country and for myself. I think we can be really proud for what we have done over these last three weeks."
Spain's Eric Mas took second place in the GC standings - two minutes and two seconds adrift of Evenepoel - while Juan Ayuso was four minutes and 57 seconds behind in third place.
Evenopoel claimed a pair of triumphs in stage 10 and 18 during the three-week competition, as Primoz Roglic's three-year reign as champion ended following his withdrawal earlier in the month.
The 21st and final stage was won by Colombia's Juan Sebastian Molano in 2h 26' 36", and the UAE Team Emirates rider would finish 10th in the points classification standings, which was topped by a dominant Mads Pedersen (409).
Ben Knapton
